Just adding to the discussion that has been had. Want to make sure that if anyone searches for the term, that this comes up.

  1. Don’t agree to a GAL. We’ll begin there.

  2. The GAL has to “pick” someone. That is what they are there for. They’re going to pick the woman. I’d didn’t understand this and lost my kids.

  3. If you’re in a high conflict divorce, they see it as better to have “stability” for the kids. Stability does not include 50/50 parenting. They will go with “what the kids know,” which is usually the woman since men usually leave the marital residence.

  4. Judges are lazy, so they will go with the GAL’s opinion. If you can’t convince the gal, which is most likely when you gave a high conflict ex, you’re going to lose.

  5. By nature of your high conflict ex, they are going to trash you to the gal. Unless you are a saint, you’re going to lose. Any push back (even against lies), is going to “confirm” what your ex is saying. They’ll say you’re being “oppositional” or “problematic.” You think you’re just sticking up for your rights, but you have none in their eyes.

  6. If they don’t like any evidence you present, they’ll ignore it. If it doesn’t fit their narrative, it won’t make its way to the court. Flash forward to the future, and the GAL’s report will be the only “evidence” the judge will look at. And if it’s not favorable to you, you lose.

Just don’t get a GAL. Object to the appointment above everything else. Their job is to pick sides and they pick the mother.

And yes, you can refuse the appointment. Force a trial. Make your ex present actual evidence and not just lie to the GAL.

The worst thing I did in my divorce was agree to appoint a gal. She never listened to one thing I said, ignored evidence (including when my ex committed verifiable perjury) and I never had a chance.

Gals are not for men in divorces.