Services
The Law Office of Andrea Conarro is a boutique law firm, choosing to engage almost exclusively Guardian Ad Litem work for children in custody cases, or sometimes for adults in Probate cases.
What is a Guardian Ad Litem?
A Guardian Ad Litem (or “GAL”) is considered a guardian to the litigation, appointed by a Court for the pendency of a case. A GAL may be appointed for an adult (for example, in a probate case where the adult has capacity issues) or, more commonly, for children in superior court in custody cases.
The Guardian Ad Litem is quite often an attorney who knows how to litigate a case and knows the law. The Guardian Ad Litem is not a confidential position, but instead more of an investigative role, examining deeply the facts of a case and the needs of the children.
What does a Guardian Ad Litem do?
In a custody case, the GAL does not work for either parent. The GAL works to assist the Court in determining the custody and parenting terms that are in the best interests of the children.
The GAL visits the homes of the parents and any other necessary place to gain insight into the children’s experience, to include schools, daycares, sporting activities.
The GAL interviews witnesses and examines documents. The GAL interviews the parents and reviews concerns each parent has.
The GAL tailors the investigation to the case. Then, the GAL issues a recommendation with great detail about the children’s custody arrangements and communication terms, decision-making terms, and sometimes protocols on how best to address parental disputes.
A court-appointed GAL often helps families avoid having to go to trial because the recommendation from the GAL is unbiased and from the perspective of what is in the best interests of the children. If, however, the case goes to trial anyway, the GAL is a professional witness there to testify and to be cross-examined on what the GAL knows or on the recommendation of the GAL.
Parties can request a GAL, or sometimes the Court will appoint a GAL on its own without any request. If you know your custody matter will be contested, and you need a deeper, detailed review, then you can the Court ask for a GAL. The Court will assign the hourly rate of the GAL in percents to each party, to be paid as the case goes on. Oftentimes, this is an equally shared expense.
Why choose Andrea Conarro as your Guardian Ad Litem?
Andrea is thorough and detailed. She has hard conversations with parents to help them discern the custody issues themselves, providing encouragement where needed and accountability where needed. In the work, it becomes clear over time where the troubles are more than fleeting and where more work needs to happen for the parents to be able to meet the children’s needs. When Andrea serves as GAL, her goal is for the children not just to get through their childhood, but to flourish. And when the children flourish, this benefits the whole family.
As an attorney, Andrea is well versed in the law and in the best interest factors that Courts must follow when determining custody.
Andrea has extensive experience and training in her work as a GAL, from the formal required training through the State Bar, to years of continuing education in family law, to her training sessions through the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) on specialized topics. Andrea has been practicing primarily in the field of family law since 2010, and has served as a Guardian Ad Litem in probate court (for adults); in juvenile court (for children who have been removed by the State); and in superior court (for children who are the subject of a custody matter).
Andrea has also had personal experience in navigating parenting plans, divorce, blending of families, and the many challenges that co-parenting (and just parenting!) inevitably bring. This personal experience makes her especially adept with crafting custody calendars that are easier to live by; creating ways to address disputes that arise between parents; and developing terms that lessen the impact of divorce or separation on the children. The children are the focus. Finally, Andrea is responsive. She will let the parents know what is happening in her investigation of the case. She responds promptly when an emergency arises. She prioritizes the well-being of YOUR children. And she directs you back to your own lawyer if the concern you have is more appropriately addressed with your counsel.
Contact
Please inquire if you wish to know whether the firm is open to taking your case, with the understanding that Andrea works on only limited matters at this time. If your matter is a simple Will, or a truly uncontested divorce, it may be considered for acceptance. Parenting coordinator cases may also be considered for acceptance.
Call, email, or schedule a consultation.