Guardian Ad Litem

If you are dealing with things involving children and child welfare through a New Mexico family court, it is likely that you will be required to work with a Guardian Ad Litem. If you need to speak with an attorney about how best to work through this situation, and how to clearly illustrate the best interests of your child to the court, we will be able to walk you through your options and how to handle this situation. We are a team of experienced family attorneys in Albuquerque who will be able to help you navigate this process and ensure that the needs of your children are addressed so that they are safe, happy, and comfortable. Contact us now to discuss your options, and read more below to learn about what a Guardian Ad Litem is, and what they do.

What Is a Guardian Ad Litem?

In any case that involved determining how a child or children will be handled through a divorce, separation, or any issue that takes their welfare into consideration through a court process, it is likely that a court-appointed person called a Guardian Ad Litem will be involved. This person will take all aspects of the living situation into account to determine where the child will be best supported as a full-time home, whether they are being properly cared for by the custodial parent, whether or not there is any drug use or abuse that is affecting the child’s safety, and ultimately determine the level of contact the child should have with their parent.

How Will I Work With a Guardian Ad Litem?

If a Guardian Ad Litem has been assigned to your case, you may answer questions for them about your relationship with your child, or they may simply observe your interactions with your child or children at a predetermined time. They may ask your children questions, speak with family members, and research your history of criminal incidents, drug abuse, and anything else that will factor into determining the safety of the child.

What Factors Is the Guardian Ad Litem Looking For?

The most important thing that the Guardian Ad Litem is involved for is to determine that the “best interests of the child” are being met. This includes factors such as parental responsibility for their school attendance, medical attention, and overall wellbeing at home. In addition, they will take the parent’s drug use or abuse into account, possible alcoholism, addiction, or abusive tendencies. Overall, anything that will indicate that the child will be in a healthy and stable situation with the parent is what the GAL is looking for.

Can I Dispute the Guardian Ad Litem’s Findings?

If you work with a Guardian Ad Litem and disagree with the findings they arrive at following their investigation, you can work with an attorney to dispute their findings and explain things from your own position. In this case, you will certainly want the help of an attorney to ensure that you are addressing all legal issues that you disagree with fully and completely, in order to get the outcome you feel is most appropriate.

Contact Us Now

If you are currently working, or planning to work with, a Guardian Ad Litem in a New Mexico court, contact us today to discuss the best way to handle this situation to ensure that your child is cared for and that you are able to get a fair outcome to their findings. We will work as an intermediary between you, the GAL, and the courts to ensure that all communications and findings are accurate representations of the situation. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.