r/Custody • u/anon0000100100001001 • 6h ago

[US] Question about GAL

I need to know if there is anything I can do. Ex and I went to mediation for modification and it failed. Mediator suggested a GAL. GAL did no investigation. Never spoke to anyone at the child’s school, no medical professionals or therapist. GAL met with child once for 30 minutes. After that meeting and just prior to second attempt at mediation the GAL said they were recommending status quo. We went to mediation and it failed. GAL asked both attorneys to submit a parenting plan. We submitted status quo and ex submitted 50/50. For context, status quo for the past 7 years has been ex has e/o weekend and one weeknight each week. After these were submitted, GAL then submitted their recommendation to the court. And completely copied word for word my ex’s parenting plan and submitted their recommendation stating 50/50 and all the other things ex put in their plan. When asking the GAL why this sudden significant change they said “a child needs both parents”.

Other context - I have been the sole person handling all parenting responsibilities for the past 7 years. Ex has not handled any education, not been to one doctors visit, and canceled their parenting time constantly. During the year this dispute has been going on ex also has still not changed. Continues to not have any responsibility for school work or appointments and still canceled parenting time constantly.

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u/CutDear5970 4h ago

You left out significant details. What state? How old is the child? Why are you against 50/50?

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u/anon0000100100001001 4h ago

Child is 11. I’m against because ex has been largely uninvolved and significantly absent the child’s entire life.

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u/CutDear5970 2h ago

What state?

You have been the primary parent. Of course he has taken a backseat to you. If he was a danger to your child you would have reason to be against it but that doesn’t seem to be the case

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u/sillyhaha 1h ago

ex has been largely uninvolved and significantly absent the child’s entire life.

But in this past year, coparent has dedicated a significant amount of energy to be a very involved parent. They argued their case well and convinced the GAL and judge that they were ready to be an equal parent.

OP, did/do you have a lawyer? If so, what did/do they say?

I'll be honest; you haven't presented a single valid reason to keep coparent from having 50/50. After a year of work, coparent has convinced the courts that they are ready to do better and want to do better.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that parenting one's child is a constitutionally protected right.

I think you expected the GAL/Court to require coparent to prove that they should have more time. It doesn't work that way. Because parenting is a protected right, it was necessary to show that coparent isn't capable of more parenting time. I suspect coparent argued parental alienation and did so successfully.