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Guide

Guide  Standards for Category F Guardian Ad Litem Investigators

The purpose of these standards is to provide accountability related to guardian ad litem (GAL) investigations, improve custody, visitation, and other outcomes for children, promote uniformity and consistency in GAL investigations, and promote respect for the rights of parties and their children, including their safety.

Organization: Probate and Family Court Executive Office of the Trial Court
Massachusetts Court System
Date published: January 24, 2005

Introduction

A Category F Guardian ad Litem investigator (GAL) is appointed by the Probate and Family Court to investigate facts in cases involving the care and custody of minor children and other matters that implicate the interests or rights of children. G.L. c. 215, § 56A; G.L. 208, § 16. 

A GAL is often appointed in cases that raise questions about: 

  • a child’s best interests as related to custody and visitation;
  • advantages or disadvantages of removing a child from the Commonwealth;
  • changes in circumstances that might warrant modification of a judgment;
  • existence of a de facto parent-child relationship;
  • parental fitness as related to termination of parental rights or guardianship;
  • paternity of a minor child; or
  • other matters implicating the rights and interests of a minor child. 

The purpose of these standards is to: 

  • provide accountability related to GAL investigations;
  • improve custody, visitation, and other outcomes for children;
  • promote uniformity and consistency in GAL investigations; and
  • promote respect for the rights of parties and their children, including their safety. 

These standards apply to all Category F guardian ad litem investigators.

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