Serving a GAL

[SMinNJ]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NJ

What is the procedure for serving a GAL? Is it the same as serving the other party?

 

[Ohiogal]

Yep. You serve her as you would any other party.

 

[tuffbrk]

I didn't even know we had GALs in NJ. Thank heaven. Hopefully, I'll never need to learn anything more about a GAL.

 

[SMinNJ]

Yep. You serve her as you would any other party.

Thank you. The courthouse told my husband that he could just email the GAL (male) a copy, but that didn't sound right.

 

[SMinNJ]

I didn't even know we had GALs in NJ. Thank heaven. Hopefully, I'll never need to learn anything more about a GAL.

Yes, statutorily there is such an animal. If you ever need one in Camden County, give me a call. I'll give you an earful

Understand, I'm not calling GAL's animals... it's just a turn of phrase...

 

[Ohiogal]

Yes, statutorily there is such an animal. If you ever need one in Camden County, give me a call. I'll give you an earful

Understand, I'm not calling GAL's animals... it's just a turn of phrase...

LOL.... technically all people are animals of the mammal variety. And I would rather be an animal than a vegetable or fruit. (Take that however you want to take it.)

 

[SMinNJ]

LOL.... technically all people are animals of the mammal variety. And I would rather be an animal than a vegetable or fruit. (Take that however you want to take it.)

You know, I just figured, people get sensitive, and since my husband is not wild about his GAL, maybe it could be taken the wrong way... But we all know that you, OG, are the bestest, most fantastic of the breed ...

Thanks, seriously, for the information...

 

[Ohiogal]

You know, I just figured, people get sensitive, and since my husband is not wild about his GAL, maybe it could be taken the wrong way... But we all know that you, OG, are the bestest, most fantastic of the breed ...

Thanks, seriously, for the information...

Here is the thing -- I am a bitch. I admit that wholeheartedly. I also admit that I would never do anything that would allow a child who is one of my clients to be in a situation where they would be hurt or in danger and that in custody it is the CHILDREN that are the most important party -- not the two adults who more likely than not act like children themselves if they are in court.

Not every case is that way but I have had doozies and have found that the vast majority of people are so caught up in their own anger and HURT that they lose site of reality. Bestest and most fantastic? Hmmm.. thanks but quite frankly I know several who are good that I have learned from. I will give them kudos for teaching me.

 

[SMinNJ]

Here is the thing -- I am a bitch. I admit that wholeheartedly. I also admit that I would never do anything that would allow a child who is one of my clients to be in a situation where they would be hurt or in danger and that in custody it is the CHILDREN that are the most important party -- not the two adults who more likely than not act like children themselves if they are in court.

Not every case is that way but I have had doozies and have found that the vast majority of people are so caught up in their own anger and HURT that they lose site of reality. Bestest and most fantastic? Hmmm.. thanks but quite frankly I know several who are good that I have learned from. I will give them kudos for teaching me.

So, my attempt to suck up failed miserable ... But seriously, I only know "personally" two GAL's, my step-daughter's and you, and you win hands down. So, whoever you learned from taught you well.

 

[LdiJ]

So, my attempt to suck up failed miserable ... But seriously, I only know "personally" two GAL's, my step-daughter's and you, and you win hands down. So, whoever you learned from taught you well.

GALs are just like anyone else. Some of them are very good, some of them are very bad. Some of them really take the necessary time to make a good recommendation, some of them don't. I would suspect that most of them take their jobs very seriously and try to do the best job that they can.

What I worry about sometimes is the possibility of a GAL getting mixed up between one case and another when making their recommendations. If their caseload is heavy, that could happen.

 

[SMinNJ]

GALs are just like anyone else. Some of them are very good, some of them are very bad. Some of them really take the necessary time to make a good recommendation, some of them don't. I would suspect that most of them take their jobs very seriously and try to do the best job that they can.

What I worry about sometimes is the possibility of a GAL getting mixed up between one case and another when making their recommendations. If their caseload is heavy, that could happen.

I agree with this worry, although I'd be interested to hear how OG deals with this... I know that my sd's GAL worries me because he doesn't seem to actively pay attention. He had disappeared for a while, not returning anyone's calls, he has never met my husband, and from his own admission, never received my sd's records from her "counselor". He has made recommendations solely based on his meetings with the child and her mother. Dad's complaint for years has been that mom has been alienating him, so this was very worrisome for dad. He would be able to accept any recommendation, I think, if he saw that the recommendation was based on fair investigation. I don't know whether this GAL is overworked, or in fact, underworked - Dad has never gotten an answer as to the GAL's experience.

ETA: I'm editing this because I do realize that my worries don't count - my worries here actually exist because my husband pointed out to me that the man has never met him...
I suppose these concerns exist for everyone when hiring their lawyer, but in the case of a child, when the court is selecting one, often it appears that the court has too much on its plate to completely monitor the GALs.

 

[Ohiogal]

GALs are just like anyone else. Some of them are very good, some of them are very bad. Some of them really take the necessary time to make a good recommendation, some of them don't. I would suspect that most of them take their jobs very seriously and try to do the best job that they can.

What I worry about sometimes is the possibility of a GAL getting mixed up between one case and another when making their recommendations. If their caseload is heavy, that could happen.

And a GAL should face up to hard questions and handle them. An attorney or pro se party should be willing to question a GAL. I have been under scrutiny and my recommendations have held up under questioning in over 95% of the cases I have had. But I have also seen some GALs that have been overturned. The hard part is when a GAL does not know and is on the fence. I have had that happen to me once and have had it happen where I have been a parent's attorney once. It is NOT an easy job and sometimes it just takes more time. GALs are not perfect -- they are human. But if they give a dang about their job they can make a great difference. I have had parents that have hated me and then thanked me because of my recommendations.

 

[Ohiogal]

So, my attempt to suck up failed miserable ... But seriously, I only know "personally" two GAL's, my step-daughter's and you, and you win hands down. So, whoever you learned from taught you well.

Suck ups don't impress quite frankly. What impresses me is people that "get it".

 

[SMinNJ]

Suck ups don't impress quite frankly. What impresses me is people that "get it".

I get it. And I'll type more because I needed at least ten characters to make the board happy.

 

[Ohiogal]

I agree with this worry, although I'd be interested to hear how OG deals with this... I know that my sd's GAL worries me because he doesn't seem to actively pay attention. He had disappeared for a while, not returning anyone's calls, he has never met my husband, and from his own admission, never received my sd's records from her "counselor". He has made recommendations solely based on his meetings with the child and her mother. Dad's complaint for years has been that mom has been alienating him, so this was very worrisome for dad. He would be able to accept any recommendation, I think, if he saw that the recommendation was based on fair investigation. I don't know whether this GAL is overworked, or in fact, underworked - Dad has never gotten an answer as to the GAL's experience.

I suppose these concerns exist for everyone when hiring their lawyer, but in the case of a child, when the court is selecting one, often it appears that the court has too much on its plate to completely monitor the GALs.

That is a problem. I do my dangest to talk to the parents, grandparents and anyone else that is requested that I talk to. I also do a lot of observation. if I have not been able to observe the child with the parents how can I possibly state what is in the child's best interest? Above all that observation is sometimes the key.
One of the biggest pieces of evidence i have found is how a parent acts when they are upset, angry and ticked off. Do they face it? Run from it? take it out on everyone around them? Or just get mad and deal with the person who upset them in conversation? That is important in my line due to the abused/dependent/neglected children I am in charge of.
Dad doesn't necessarily need to know the GAL's experience however he should be raising a stink that the GAL has NOT spoken with him nor received the records of counseling. That is first and foremost. If there are records on my children I want them. And I do my best to get them. Dad's attorney needs to be questioning the GAL on the stand under oath about how he came to his recommendations regarding dad and child without actually meeting child. If he is basing it strictly on child's wishes then he is acting as minor's counsel and NOT as the child's GAL.