A Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) is a person the court appoints to represent the best interests of a child in a divorce or parental rights and responsibilities case. When they complete their investigation the look at many factors such as:
• the wishes of the parents and the child
• the relationship the parents have with each other
• the needs of the child
• the relationship of the child and the parent
• the history and relationship of the child and each parent
• the child’s school and community life
• the parents mental and physical health
• drug and alcohol abuse of the parents (if any)
These are just some factors a GAL would look at in terms of making a decision on a contact schedule that will best serve the minor child.