Ever dealt with a GAL over custody? If, so please tell me what exactly they do...?

Question

The father of my son said some untrue things about me to the judge in a custody hearing and now the judge has decided to appoint our child his own attorney a "GAL", through juvenile court... To investigate both myself and the childs father.

I am just curious as to what to expect from this person.

Anyone ever had anything like this happen?

What do they do?

what do they ask?

What exactly are they looking for?

I have a stable home, drug and alcohol free and have raised him from birth and he's only 3 now...

Also how long does this process take??

:o( Confused of why this happened and worried that the father will continue to lie to them... :o(

PLEASE help! Person to post the most information - 10 Points... I hate to throw it out there like that but this is important...

Answer 1

The GAL is (in worse case) another lawyer to send you a bill for doing nothing.  In the best case, they will play detective and investigate what was said and find out the truth.

The process will add about 3 months on the divorce proceedings.  The Judge can and has thrown out the GAL's recommendations.  

It has happened because the judge is suspicious that the child has been coached in what to say, as well as to prove which battleing parent is telling the truth.    

Keep a clean house and a diary, as well as a camera handy to document anything you see.

Answer 2

My brother went through this with his Daughter.  he reported his ex for abuse (his daughter had a black eye and she said Mommy hit her)  What happened was the state gave temp custody for two weeks to the father and wait up a court date.  During the time in between the state (GAL) went to both parents home to ensure proper living area and interviewed each parent alone then together.  Then they had them each go into a play room and see how the child acts toward each parent while they watched.  One at a time.  All on different days.  In the end they did nothing the child stayed with her mother and father got weekend visits.  The system is so messed up.  But I wish you lots of luck, but I am sure you have nothing to worry about, just unnecessary BS if you know what I mean! But I must say they both did get their buts chewed out by the Judge and they have to attend parenting classed for a year.