Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)

Guardian Ad Litem in Ansonia, Milford, Orange, Stratford, Seymour, Oxford, Woodbridge, Bethany, Woodbury, Southbury, Waterbury, Shelton, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Trumbull, Monroe, New Haven, Hamden, North Haven, North Branford, Branford.

In cases where the Court feels the interests of a divorcing couple’s minor child or children are not easy to discern, the judge may appoint a guardian ad litem. The task of the guardian ad litem is to investigate on behalf of the Court the family's circumstances and work on behalf of the best interests of the minor child(ren).

Courts in Connecticut take the matter of child welfare very seriously, and may appoint a trained social worker or licensed attorney versed in family law to ensure the safety and well-being of children whose parents are at legal odds with each other.

Shelton-based attorney Carmina (Tessitore) Hirsch has a great deal of experience with this process in Fairfield and New Haven County. She is an important resource for the Connecticut court system both in serving as a guardian ad litem, and in recommending or working with guardians ad litem in cases where her client is a party to a divorce action or has a legal interest in the welfare of a child.

Investigations requested by the Court may be very intrusive and very thorough, as the State has an interest in ensuring children are not subject to abusive or cruel treatment during the extremely stressful divorce process. A parent who loses the trust of the Court pursuant to the investigation of a guardian ad litem will often have difficulty regaining it, and may end up jeopardizing his/her standing as it pertains to desired outcomes for custody and visitation.

During a divorce, heated words can be exchanged, and many of these exchanges may include accusations against you that are completely unfair, taken out of context, or even blatantly false. At times, a parent may even seek to use children as a bargaining chip to obtain a financial advantage. This type of conduct by your spouse is inappropriate and needs to be defended against.

If you live in Trumbull, Monroe, Bridgeport, Milford, or any of the surrounding localities, and you are facing a child custody or visitation dispute where the judge has appointed a guardian ad litem for your minor children, you need to retain the services of an attorney who can advise you on how to weather the next steps successfully so that you will be able to continue your relationship with your child on terms acceptable to you.