Guardian Ad Litem Question

[cybernet00]

What is the name of your state? Florida

While my sister was at work a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) came to the house. The kids where home alone because my sister was at work and summer camp doesn't start until Monday. The GAL proceeds to talk the kids into opening the doors by showing her credentials. My sister’s husband came home early and found the GAL there; he called my sister and told her. My sister asked the GAL why she would go into the house knowing there wasn’t a parent home and asked her why she came by instead of John the DCF guy that they have always had. She gave her the run around, when my sister called DCF to complain the GAL’s supervisor said “well your kids shouldn’t have opened up the door” and laughed at her! Is there anything she can officially do about this? Is this a normal practice for GALs?

[fairisfair]

How old are your sister's children?? (kids are goats)

Don't you even realize that if they opened the door to this person, they could have opened the door to ANYONE?

The GAL's job is to act in the best interest of the children, and to investigate in order to determine her findings. I would imagine that someone leaving their children unattended, just MIGHT enter into that.

[cybernet00]

Originally Posted by fairisfair

How old are your sister's children?? (kids are goats)

Don't you even realize that if they opened the door to this person, they could have opened the door to ANYONE?

The GAL's job is to act in the best interest of the children, and to investigate in order to determine her findings. I would imagine that someone leaving their children unattended, just MIGHT enter into that.

Kids (Kid also means a. A child b. A young person) are 14 and 15.

Yes, I do realize that they would have opened the door to ANYONE however as I stated she talked the kids into opening the door. Yes, again I realize that it still could be ANYONE but they did not open the door until she showed them she was with DCF.

Thanks for not answering my question.

I find it would have been in the best interest of the children for the GAL to have taken the no for an answer when she asked to come in and they said no.

[Silverplum]

If you're gonna be snotty, go hire an attorney.

Originally Posted by cybernet00

Kids (Kid also means a. A child b. A young person) are 14 and 15.

Yes, I do realize that they would have opened the door to ANYONE however as I stated she talked the kids into opening the door. Yes, again I realize that it still could be ANYONE but they did not open the door until she showed them she was with DCF.

Thanks for not answering my question.

I find it would have been in the best interest of the children for the GAL to have taken the no for an answer when she asked to come in and they said no.

[fairisfair]

Originally Posted by cybernet00

Kids (Kid also means a. A child b. A young person) are 14 and 15.

Yes, I do realize that they would have opened the door to ANYONE however as I stated she talked the kids into opening the door. Yes, again I realize that it still could be ANYONE but they did not open the door until she showed them she was with DCF.

Thanks for not answering my question.

I find it would have been in the best interest of the children for the GAL to have taken the no for an answer when she asked to come in and they said no.

You can "find" all you want. Since you are neither a judge nor an attorney, I doubt it matters a whit.

And, now, you can "find" somewhere else to get help.

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by fairisfair

You can "find" all you want. Since you are neither a judge nor an attorney, I doubt it matters a whit.

And, now, you can "find" somewhere else to get help.

I *find* that amusing!

(*find* is dirty! )

[cybernet00]

Originally Posted by cybernet00

What is the name of your state? Florida

While my sister was at work a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) came to the house. The kids where home alone because my sister was at work and summer camp doesn't start until Monday. The GAL proceeds to talk the kids into opening the doors by showing her credentials. My sister’s husband came home early and found the GAL there; he called my sister and told her. My sister asked the GAL why she would go into the house knowing there wasn’t a parent home and asked her why she came by instead of John the DCF guy that they have always had. She gave her the run around, when my sister called DCF to complain the GAL’s supervisor said “well your kids shouldn’t have opened up the door” and laughed at her! Is there anything she can officially do about this? Is this a normal practice for GALs?

I don’t understand you guys. I think it’s pretty rude that I ask a question and you treat me like I’m the bad guy and when I stick up for myself you act as if I stated off with the attitude.

When the first response to my post from fairisfair telling me that “kids are goats”, telling me how to parent my sisters kids, and then proceeding to tell me that the GAL is to act in the best interest of the children…all of this doesn’t help and is pretty much being a smart @$$.

I get that this is free and you get what you pay for but I don’t need to be ridiculed for trying to help my sister who is a great mother and had the GAL over to talk to the kids about what happen at their dad’s house last weekend (In which one of the “children” was picked up by the cops at 4:30 am (father never called mother to inform her of this even happening) with a group of kids for laying in the middle of a road. When she got home to her mothers she had HICKIES all over her neck, which the father did see and didn’t care).

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by cybernet00

I don’t understand you guys. I think it’s pretty rude that I ask a question and you treat me like I’m the bad guy and when I stick up for myself you act as if I stated off with the attitude.

Newperson: You may wish to develop manners. Demanding and rude behavior is unwelcome in those who ASK for FREE advice.

Originally Posted by cybernet00

When the first response to my post from fairisfair telling me that “kids are goats”,

When in Rome, honey. Some don't care for that term here. There are other terms we don't care for at FA, either.

Originally Posted by cybernet00

telling me how to parent my sisters kids,

That's not what she did, but whatever.

Originally Posted by cybernet00

and then proceeding to tell me that the GAL is to act in the best interest of the children…

That's, like, THE LEGAL DEFINITION of a GAL. Duh. So Fair gave you accurate legal info, for free. Huh. You got SO ripped off, didn'tcha?

Originally Posted by cybernet00

all of this doesn’t help

I fail to see how it did not, but whatever. Hire an attorney, as you were already told.

Originally Posted by cybernet00

and is pretty much being a smart @$$.

Attitude's free, too!

Originally Posted by cybernet00

I get that this is free and you get what you pay for

I don't think you do. But that's okay, we won't take away your birthday or anything.

Originally Posted by cybernet00

but I don’t need to be ridiculed for trying to help my sister who is a great mother

You weren't ridiculed for trying to help your sister.

Originally Posted by cybernet00

and had the GAL over to talk to the kids about what happen at their dad’s house last weekend (In which one of the “children” was picked up by the cops at 4:30 am (father never called mother to inform her of this even happening) with a group of kids for laying in the middle of a road. When she got home to her mothers she had HICKIES all over her neck, which the father did see and didn’t care).

How very informative. It's common to put all pertinent info into the first post, or even the second after being asked basic legal clarification questions. But now is good, too. Perhaps someone will care to answer your further questions for free.

[Zephyr]

why is DCF involved?

[Ohiogal]

What is the name of your state? Florida

While my sister was at work a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) came to the house. The

OKay -- the GAL can show up unannounced.

kids where home alone because my sister was at work and summer camp doesn't start until Monday.

That may or may not be an issue though i see in another post that they are teenagers.

The GAL proceeds to talk the kids into opening the doors by showing her credentials.

Did sister teach the children about when or why they should open the door to strangers?

My sister’s husband came home early and found the GAL there; he called my sister and told her. My sister asked the GAL why she would go into the house knowing there wasn’t a parent home and asked her why she came by instead of John the DCF guy that they have always had.

The GAL can come by at any time and talk to the children or anyone else at the house. Sometimes they make appointments but they are NOT required to make an appointment. A GAL is a DIFFERENT person than John the DCF guy. GALs do NOT work for DCF or anyone but rather are appointed by the COURT to be a witness for a court. You do not seem to understand what a GAL is or does.

She gave her the run around, when my sister called DCF to complain the GAL’s supervisor said “well your kids shouldn’t have opened up the door” and laughed at her!

The GAL does NOT work for DCF. She is appointed by the court. Your sister can gripe all she wants to DCF but she was told truthfully -- the children should not have opened the door. Complaining about a GAL showing up is not going to sit well with the court as the GAL is allowed access to the children they are appointed to act in the best interests of at any time. If she wants to bitch about the GAL showing up then she really may be looking at the GAL -- and the court -- siding against her.

Is there anything she can officially do about this? Is this a normal practice for GALs?

Your sister can quite frankly keep quiet about the fact that she is pissed the the GAL was doing her job -- oh yeah it is too late for that. It is normal practice for the GAL to show up unannounced or announced. She has that right. She is an officer of the court whose sole purpose is to speak in the children's best interest. She doesn't have to work around your sister's wishes. Or wants.

[Ohiogal]

Kids (Kid also means a. A child b. A young person) are 14 and 15.

So they are old enough to be home alone. And they should have been old enough to have it explained to them that they need to talk to the GAL.

Yes, I do realize that they would have opened the door to ANYONE however as I stated she talked the kids into opening the door. Yes, again I realize that it still could be ANYONE but they did not open the door until she showed them she was with DCF.

Really? The GAL was with DCF? Are you sure she is a GAL then and not a social worker or caseworker. Those are two different functions.

I find it would have been in the best interest of the children for the GAL to have taken the no for an answer when she asked to come in and they said no.

At which point the GAL would have had to report to the court that she was denied access to the children's home. Which goes against the parent when the GAL makes their report. Your opinion means squat quite frankly and if your sister continues to try this attitude she is going to have issues.

[cybernet00]

My mother married my father and had me. I have two half sisters (Kelly and Stephaine are true sisters) I have the same mom but a different dad. My mother was a bad mother was on drugs and didn’t take care of us my sister Stephaine was raped and beaten many times by our step father Victor and I believe Kelly was too but she has pretty much blocked out that part of her life. I was too young (2-4 years) to be raped to I was just hit a lot. My grandma (moms mom) got involved and we taken away and placed in the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home. DCF(HRS at that time) /court system placed us in the custody of our grandmother. I was 5 then Stephaine was 9 and Kelly was 8. I don’t remember a lot of what transpired but at some point Stephaine and Kelly were placed back with the Children’s Home while I stayed with my grandparents. When I was 10 my father decided he wanted to try and get back into my life, so I was have supervised visitations with him every other weekend. Then he went to court and asked for custody of me which the court granted (even though I did not want to go and said that at court). About a month into living with him my sister Stephaine who always was there for me asked to be placed with me and the court granted that. She was 14 at the time she came to live with my father and I. About 9 months into living there I had mentioned to by grandma (because we had visitations on the weekends) that Stephaine was spending a lot of time behind closed/locked doors with my father. I also told her about his drinking and that he would hit us and that I was taking care of my half brothers (2) and sister (same dad…different moms). I told her we all 3 sleep in the same bed and that one time my little brother needed a new dipper because his was leaking all over me while I was trying to sleep but when I went to get them out of my dads bedroom the door was locked and Stephaine was in there. Then we found out she was pregnant but she wouldn’t say who the father was so the cops came and took us both away from him and in to a foster home. I can see it as clean as if it was yesterday Stephaine was out the window and begging me to run away with her…but I just couldn’t so I stayed and she left. 10 years later was finally got back in touch. My father took Stephaine to South Carolina and married her when she was 15, he foraged her fathers signature of the paper that gave her permission to get married at that age. He promised her the world and she ended up with being beat, raped and sodomised for years. She had 3 girls with him because he insisted that they keep having kids until she produced a boy (guess the dumb @$$ didn’t know he is the one that has that option). One night after he had beat my sister so bad she could barley see…she left but because she had nothing she couldn’t bring the kids with her. Later on he had her sign some papers that at one point gave her visitation rights to see the kids but after copies were made and given to her she found out she signed papers that gave her no rights with her children. When she was able to she got a lawyer (court appointed) and when to court for custody. He used it against her and clamed she abandoned the kids so she ended up getting every other weekend and the summers with her kids (which was great). So here is why DCF is involved now…at 3am in the morning DCF calls Stephaine to tell her that they have her kids because one of them called the cops because their dad was drunk and beating them. He hit one of them in the head and in the leg with a belt and just said B**** deserved it. So he was charged with 3 counts of child abuse and the kids where give to her. The oldest child one night got out of hand and hit Stephaine and busted open her child, she was already on parole for something else so the cops came and took her to Juvenile Detention. Unfortunately my father has pictures of me at his house and when Stephaine’s kids started to get older they started to wonder why there father had pictures of there “aunt” up on the walls. He FREAKING TOLD THEM THE STORY…but of course he blamed it all on Stephaine saying she was the one that “seduced him”. The fact that the kids have that information is exactly why the oldest girl acts the way she does because she thinks since her mom did it it is okay. The oldest is now living with her father and doesn’t ever visit Stephaine because of what her father has told her. The two other girls are starting to fall into suit with there sister and act out, but Stephaine is trying hard to keep them with her because they do better in school and have rules. When one of the girls was picked up by the cops for laying out in the middle of the road at 4 in the morning, she didn’t get in trouble with her father and in fact he allowed her to stay the night at a friends house and when she came home she had hickies all over her neck. Stephaine called DCF to speak with her case worker to get an emergency hearing (because the next PR isn’t until September) he told her that he needed to speak with there father first.

So there you are that is our story…I know it sounds like a Jerry Springer thing but well its my life. I have been there for Stephaine and I will always be there because I know that my father is a pedophile and a sadist. None of my half siblings from my fathers side have finished high school and all have been in jail or were pregnant before the age of 18. I thankfully got out of that situation with him and graduated high school and have a college degree and that is what both Stephaine and I want for her kids, but we both know that if they stay with him or are around him any longer it will not happen…

I’m sorry if I seemed demanding or additudie with you all but my sister has been though so much and I only want to help.

I know you are probably wondering why he was never arrested for what he did to Stephaine and it is only because she doesn’t have the money to get a lawyer so she can put him in jail, plus I’m not sure the kids could ever forget her if she did.

[cybernet00]

Originally Posted by Ohiogal

OKay -- the GAL can show up unannounced.



That may or may not be an issue though i see in another post that they are teenagers.



Did sister teach the children about when or why they should open the door to strangers?



The GAL can come by at any time and talk to the children or anyone else at the house. Sometimes they make appointments but they are NOT required to make an appointment. A GAL is a DIFFERENT person than John the DCF guy. GALs do NOT work for DCF or anyone but rather are appointed by the COURT to be a witness for a court. You do not seem to understand what a GAL is or does.



The GAL does NOT work for DCF. She is appointed by the court. Your sister can gripe all she wants to DCF but she was told truthfully -- the children should not have opened the door. Complaining about a GAL showing up is not going to sit well with the court as the GAL is allowed access to the children they are appointed to act in the best interests of at any time. If she wants to bitch about the GAL showing up then she really may be looking at the GAL -- and the court -- siding against her.



Your sister can quite frankly keep quiet about the fact that she is pissed the the GAL was doing her job -- oh yeah it is too late for that. It is normal practice for the GAL to show up unannounced or announced. She has that right. She is an officer of the court whose sole purpose is to speak in the children's best interest. She doesn't have to work around your sister's wishes. Or wants.

Okay, wow you are right I don’t know what a GAL is…I did think that was someone with DCF I wasn’t aware that they were appointed by the court. So that makes me wonder some more why all of a sudden she now has a GAL, this case has been going on since June of last year and she never had a GAL. Man, I don’t know what is going on…but really thank you for letting me know that. I will get with my sister so she can talk to her lawyer and find out what is going on and see why all of a sudden they got a GAL involved…unless that is how it goes. thank you!

[fairisfair]

It is quite common for a GAL to be appointed by the court, in any proceedings where the parties are unable to come to agreement regarding the children, and especially where there is any involvement by DCF.

You really need to look at the GAL as a proponent for what is good, the best interest of the children. That is their role, to act as the attorney representing the rights of the child.

I am sorry for the abuse that you all suffered as children. And sincerely wish the best for your sister and her children, and do appreciate your desire to help her. The GAL, in theory, hopefully, as well as in practice, is there to be sure that happens. She doesn't have a GAL, the children have a GAL.

[cybernet00]

Originally Posted by fairisfair

It is quite common for a GAL to be appointed by the court, in any proceedings where the parties are unable to come to agreement regarding the children, and especially where there is any involvement by DCF.

You really need to look at the GAL as a proponent for what is good, the best interest of the children. That is their role, to act as the attorney representing the rights of the child.

I am sorry for the abuse that you all suffered as children. And sincerely wish the best for your sister and her children, and do appreciate your desire to help her. The GAL, in theory, hopefully, as well as in practice, is there to be sure that happens. She doesn't have a GAL, the children have a GAL.

Thank you…I finally get it. My sister did talk to the GAL’s supervisor and was told that this has been a problem with this particular GAL and that they are not to go into the house without a parent present.

My sister is glad that they finally have one (even if it did take a year) and she said the girls like her and that she was nice, so I only hope to have good things come from this and I think they will.


Thank you all for your help and support, I might be needing you again soon