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GAL disappeared, trial postponement?

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masopa

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

A placement study was conducted last fall, the results of which neither party agreed on, and there was to be a hearing in March. Just last week I learned that the guardian ad litem for the case has quit law, and is no longer involved in our case. I learned this when I called her office and was forwarded to another attorney, who told me very angrily that she no longer worked there (she was the only other atty at the practice).

I learned last week that this partner is planning on stepping in and taking over the case. My atty requested that a new GAL be assigned because there could be a conflict of interest for the partner to be working from the old GAL's notes. Additionally, I think it would be a conflict since I very nearly got into an argument with this woman when I spoke with her, when I asked why we had not been informed since apparently the GAL has been gone for over a month, and she gave me the runaround.

Another one of my concerns about this woman becoming the new GAL is that my son's mother, the other party in the case (obviously), caused a scene (about a year ago) at the law firm at which the old GAL and partner work.

I don't know if any of these things matter, though. I don't suppose my requesting a new GAL is enough to get it done, but I've heard from various sources that this woman is someone who frequently gives kids back to abusive parents - and that scares me. My son was abused by his mother's boyfriend (now husband) last spring. It sounds like that kind of thing is not going to matter to this woman if she becomes the new GAL.

What types of things would make a difference in deciding whether to assign a new GAL and postpone the trial, versus sticking with this stand-in GAL?
 


LdiJ

Senior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? WI

A placement study was conducted last fall, the results of which neither party agreed on, and there was to be a hearing in March. Just last week I learned that the guardian ad litem for the case has quit law, and is no longer involved in our case. I learned this when I called her office and was forwarded to another attorney, who told me very angrily that she no longer worked there (she was the only other atty at the practice).

I learned last week that this partner is planning on stepping in and taking over the case. My atty requested that a new GAL be assigned because there could be a conflict of interest for the partner to be working from the old GAL's notes. Additionally, I think it would be a conflict since I very nearly got into an argument with this woman when I spoke with her, when I asked why we had not been informed since apparently the GAL has been gone for over a month, and she gave me the runaround.

Another one of my concerns about this woman becoming the new GAL is that my son's mother, the other party in the case (obviously), caused a scene (about a year ago) at the law firm at which the old GAL and partner work.

I don't know if any of these things matter, though. I don't suppose my requesting a new GAL is enough to get it done, but I've heard from various sources that this woman is someone who frequently gives kids back to abusive parents - and that scares me. My son was abused by his mother's boyfriend (now husband) last spring. It sounds like that kind of thing is not going to matter to this woman if she becomes the new GAL.

What types of things would make a difference in deciding whether to assign a new GAL and postpone the trial, versus sticking with this stand-in GAL?
I would definitely ask for a new GAL. I wouldn't accept a non-appointed "stand in".
 

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