Chapter 18 - EXHIBIT 18A • GAL|CLR SAMPLE INFORMATION SHEET

• Jurisdiction: Colorado

EXHIBIT 18A • GAL/CLR SAMPLE INFORMATION SHEET

GAL/CLR SAMPLE INFORMATION SHEET

Most parents who come into the legal system have little or no understanding of the role of the guardian ad litem/child's legal representative. This information sheet is designed to give you clear answers to some of the most common questions asked about a guardian ad litem/child's legal representative.

1. WHAT IS A GUARDIAN AD LITEM/CHILD'S LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE?

Guardians ad litem, or GALs, exist in Title 19 (children's law) cases, and children's legal representatives, or CLRs, exist in Title 14 (domestic relations) cases. Both a GAL and a CLR are attorneys appointed by the court to represent the best interest of the child in a court case. Courts appoint GALs in all abuse and neglect cases in juvenile court, and frequently appoint CLRs in custody cases where the parents are unable to agree and there is a conflict in the case that is harmful to the best interests of the child.

The GAL/CLR is a lawyer. I am not a therapist or mental health professional or custody evaluator. However, I have extensive experience and continuing legal education in areas that are pertinent for custody disputes. These include child development, conflict resolution, and areas of psychology and human relationships that are often part of a custody dispute.

2. WHAT DOES A GAL/CLR DO?

The GAL/CLR conducts an investigation into facts and can make recommendations to the parties/parents concerning what parental responsibility and parenting time arrangements will be in the best interests of the child.

The first steps in a case involve the investigation. Normally, I meet with each parent individually in my office and conduct an interview into the background and facts of each case. After I have met with both parents, I usually meet with the child or children during a home visit to each parent's residence. I meet the children in their home environment.

I also discuss the child and parents with other people who have information that may be helpful. Teachers, daycare providers, scout leaders, counselors, therapists, friends, neighbors, and relatives all may be interviewed. I am more interested in people who have not aligned themselves with one parent or another in the dispute. Objective information from neutral persons is more helpful to the GAL/CLR than is information from persons who are aligned with one parent because they are friends or relatives of that parent.

After the initial investigation, I usually convene...