Why do I need a GAL if my child already knows who they want to live with?

The role of a court-appointed guardian ad litem (GAL) is to be the eyes and ears of the law, representing the best interests of the child. A GAL will investigate by speaking with both parents, the child, other witnesses, and they may also issue subpoenas and review documents to help make their assessment.
So if a child expresses a preference for living with a certain parent, the GAL will consider factors such as the child's age, and the context of their statement. Courts typically view direct questioning of children about custody preferences as being potentially coercive, and prefer the GAL to assess the situation. A GAL is trained to distinguish between genuine opinions and coached responses from children. Rather than solely relying on the child's preference, a GAL will weigh factors like consistency, reliability, and safety in order to determine the child's best interest. #KiswaniLawFirm
For more information about our firm's #childcustody and #familylaw related services visit our website 👉 kiswanilawfirm.com/custody-child-support #kiswanilawpc
___________
Kiswani Law Firm is an award winning boutique family law practice. Founded by principle attorney Mervate Mohammad, we offer bespoke legal services for our clients. We skillfully handle family law cases including #divorce, children matters, #nuptialagreements, #separations and more.
FOLLOW - @kiswanilawpc for more #familylaw topics
VIEW - more on our services, news, and blog content on our website KiswaniLawFirm.com