A Guardian Ad Litem is appointed by the Court in contested family actions to investigate what is in the best interest of the child by acting as next of friend to the child. The Guardian Ad Litem does this by meeting with the child, the parents and third parties to include the child’s teachers, neighbors, extended family members, medical doctors and/or mental health providers. The Guardian Ad Litem may also review the child’s medical, mental health and other records. Following the Guardian Ad Litem’s investigation, the Guardian Ad Litem issues an oral or written report of the Guardian Ad Litem’s findings for the Court’s consideration.
Following the Guardian Ad Litem’sreport, the Guardian Ad Litem can testify before the Court of her findings and recommendations.
A Guardian Ad Litem can be appointed to investigate a limited issue or to investigate the entire case between the parents. Examples of reasons for the appointment of a Guardian Ad Litem in family law actions include but are not limited to investigating allegations of abuse or neglect by one parent, relocation by one parent, fitness of a parent to parent the child appropriately, accusations of parental alienation, which school a child should attend, where the child should spend most of the time, the impact of substance abuse by a parent upon a child, etc.
The Court determines how much each party will contribute to the fees of the Guardian Ad Litem.
Our Family Law Guardian Ad Litem has been trained by The Broward County Bar Association and Speak For Kids, Inc. in paternity, divorce, modification and/or parental relocation actions.