Geneva, IL Guardian ad Litem

Guardians ad Litem Serving Kane County and Northern Illinois

At Serrano Hanson, we offer a comprehensive understanding of family law and divorce law, allowing us to provide balanced and insightful guidance for each of our clients. Clients who find themselves in need of a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) or working on resolving an issue that involves a Guardian ad Litem appreciate the depth of our knowledge, as this is a good example of something our clients may not have known about until they came into our offices. Not only are our attorneys well-versed in working on solutions with a Guardian ad Litem, they also have served in this role and continue to serve in this role in local family courts.

What Is a Guardian ad Litem?

A Guardian ad Litem is someone who represents the best interests of a child (or children) involved in legal proceedings. Although the adults involved may intend to advocate for the best interest of their child, it is easy for adult emotions and issues to get in the way of what will truly is best for their child or children. As such, the GAL investigates the issue, sometimes including conducting interviews with the minor child or children and the adults involved, and then presents his or her findings to the court in the form of an oral or written recommendation.

While the term Guardian ad Litem is often used interchangeably with "Child's Representative," there are distinctions between the two as to how their roles play out in a courtroom, specifically in whether or not they may be called as a witness in the courtroom. A GAL can be called as a witness; a Child Representative cannot.

When Is a GAL Appointed?

Generally, a GAL will be appointed either by the Court or by the parties themselves when there are unresolved issues such as:

• Child custody;
• Visitation;
• Parentage;
• General child welfare;
• Education;
• Removal of a child to another state;
• Allegations of abuse; and
• Adoption.

In many situations, a GAL may have an existing relationship with some of the judges in family courtrooms, as they have represented the best interests of other children in other proceedings. Judges generally take the recommendations of a GAL very seriously, and those recommendations can play a significant role in the final decisions made in the courtroom.

If you need help with any family law or divorce issues, including those involving a Guardian ad Litem, contact us today. Serrano Hanson provides representation to clients throughout Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, and DuPage Counties, including the cities of Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, South Elgin, and Campton Hills.