FAQ
Q: What is a Guardian ad Litem?
A: Guardian ad Litem means guardian for this moment only. A guardian ad litem is a person who is appointed by the court to investigate the circumstances of a particular matter, is charged with looking out for the best interests of a person or persons, and is usually required to make recommendations to the court on particular issues the court has requested assistance with analyzing and understanding.
Q: Where are GALs used?
A: GALs are appointed in cases regarding parenting responsibility, abuse and neglect cases, termination of parental rights cases, criminal matters where there is a child-victim, where there are elderly persons unable to speak for themselves, and in probate cases where there are the possibility of unknown beneficiaries that may have an interest in the outcome of a particular matter, among others.
Q: We don't like our GAL, can we hire you?
A: No. A GAL is appointed by a court, either on its own, or at the request of the parties. GAL's cannot be hired per se. It is possible to have your attorney or for you to recommend a name to the court for appointment. Some judges do not like the parties to recommend a particular GAL, while others make it a practice of requiring the parties to agree on a GAL.
Q: The legal process is expensive enough, do we have to have a GAL?
A: It is up to the court whether to appoint a GAL. GALs serve as fact finders and judges rely on GALs to provide them with information that they cannot obtain on their own.
Q: You are a Board Certified GAL. What does that mean?
A: A Board Certified GAL means that I have undergone the requisite training and application process as set by the Guardian ad Litem Board. More information can be found at their website. Board Certified GALs are not to be confused with Court Certified GALs. By 2007 all GALs used by the NH courts must be Board Certified or be a CASA GALs.
Q: What is a CASA GAL?
A: A CASA GAL is a Court Appointed Special Advocate. These GALs are specially trained, unpaid, volunteer GALs who represent the interests of abused children in abuse and neglect proceedings. More information about CASA can be found on their website.