Wisconsin Family Law Insider

Wisconsin Child Custody: The Guardian ad Litem Mistake Parents Make - #53

Sterling Lawyers Episode 53

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 5:52

The Wisconsin court just appointed a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in your custody case, and you're panicking. GALs in Wisconsin don't represent you or your child—they investigate living conditions, interview witnesses, review records, and recommend custody arrangements based solely on the child's best interests, regardless of parent preferences. Sterling Lawyers Lead Attorney and CEO Jeff Hughes reveals what GALs actually do during custody investigations and the critical mistakes that turn their recommendations against you.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

  • GAL role representing the child's best interests through independent investigation and court recommendations
  • Investigation process, including parent interviews, home visits, school and medical record reviews, and witness interviews
  • Fee structure split between parents with income-based adjustments
  • 120-day status hearing rights allowing parents to request updates and raise concerns
  • Critical mistakes, including ignoring GAL contact, badmouthing the other parent, and refusing cooperation

Listen in to discover how to work effectively with Guardian ad Litem attorneys through respectful participation and child-focused communication that demonstrates your involvement and stability in Wisconsin custody cases.