our experience w/GAL was good. She went to bat for gs and made recommendations that he was better off with us. We were dealing with a very crazy situation and judge listened to GAL

Thank you for your response. Can you answer any of my other questions ? We live in PA if that matters.

Fortress, all I can tell you is that in NJ, the bio who hasn't seen the child in 6 years would not be given visitation until they had performed DNA verification, attended counseling with and without the child, paid back support, etc. etc.

Have you spoken with a family law attorney? That's how we found out the above information. For a couple hundred dollars you would be able to find out what your rights are.

Sara - thanks for response. There is DNA verification & we engaged an attorney when we went for and received custody but at the moment we can't afford the attorney - maybe in a month or two. Neither bio seems to comprehend their complete lack of parenting and the custody order is vague in many areas..... including visitation and their possible inclusion in counselling. This was due to neither of them wanting to agree on anything so the only way to get anything accomplished was that the mediator was vague.- but it at least gives us custody and allows us at long last to get GD therapy. The therapy has been needed for at least 3 years and bio parent refused to give permission. Both bios are in my opinion messed up in the head. The bio " mother " transitioned to male - I think ANYONE could realize that a child would need therapy in this situation ! As i mentioned bio " dad " has not been in the picture at all and suddenly wants to be daddy dearest and had called the therapist demanding to be at GD's therapy sessions. Therapist is holding him off but suggests to me a GAL, which is why I'm hoping for info on GAL. She tells me they are much more effective than your basic lawyer for having the CHILD'S best interest taken seriously. She also said there is no charge for GAL. Just looking for info before I make any decisions.

The GAL is there to protect the child, not invade your life. We hired the GAL but the state also appointed a GAL because we were a private case and they needed state advise. It sounds like this guy might be intimidating you. Don't let him. If you have guardianship, you set the rules. If they do not comply, that's their problem. Just keep a record of why you stopped visitation or changed it in any way. Always keep it to the best interest of child. If they change their minds, you do not have to accommodate them. The court expects you to be reasonable but not bullied. it helps to have therapist on your side as they can testify in court on your behalf. Does that help?

In Illinois, we have been able to get grants to cover legal expenses for grandparents. It is ruled by the Department on Aging (does not make any differed what your age is as they usually run the grandparents raising grandchildren programs) but presently the funds are available to those under 55. Also check the Pennsylvania Supreme Court website and look up decisions on grandparents, both visitation and custody. This will give you an idea of where the courts are leaning in your state.

Thank you Daisy. Both bios ARE bullies. Sure makes life harder than necessary. What I mean by invade is does the GAL spend hours in your house ?

I am a GAL in Ohio. I think a GAL is a great idea. We interview family members, parents, social workers etc. and make a recommendation to the judge on what we think is in the best interest of the child. We can also make recommendations such as bio has to attend parenting classes, counseling, etc. If visitation is vague, maybe don't allow bio visitation unless he gets permission from the court. After a 6 yr. absence, I can't imagine any judge would allow visitation without bio jumping through a few hoops.

I forgot to add, I visit my "children" once a month for 30-60 minutes. I also talk on the phone with parents occasionally. Some of my visits are scheduled, some are unannounced. Either way, they have never gone over an hour. Once a month, I file a report with my supervisor on the current situation. In our area, the judge takes the GAL's recommendations very seriously. It is my understanding from conferences I have attended that how serious the judge takes the GAL recommendations can vary from judge to judge. I hope that helps

we met in offices with gal, both the one we hired and the state appointed. also had therapist involved who did psych testing on everyone involved.