Contested Custody in Georgia
If you are involved in a contested custody case in Georgia, chances are that a Guardian ad Litem has been appointed in your case. Over the course of the next several blogs, we will discuss several do’s and don’ts concerning how to interact with the Guardian to hopefully achieve a favorable recommendation from him or her in your Georgia contested custody case.
Since the Guardian’s ultimate recommendation is given a tremendous amount of weight by the Court, it is important that you do not do the following things:
1. Do not pressure the children’s teachers, counselors, or day care providers to tell the Guardian what a great person you are.
2. Do not ask the Guardian for his or her decision, because it will be presented in a report.
3. Do not talk to the children about what they are going to say to the Guardian.
4. Do not constantly belittle the other party, because it can back-fire against you. You could be accused of parental alienation. If, however, you have some documentary information that could help the Guardian make a decision, you can provide that to him or her, after having your custody lawyer review it.
5. Do not call, mail or e-mail the Guardian on a daily basis.
6. Do not try to pressure any psychologist that the children may be seeing.
7. Do not try to control the Guardian’s investigation. Guardian’s in contested custody cases in Georgia are usually well trained and versed in what to look for in order to make a recommendation on whom should have custody. If the other party claims you are controlling, you will only be proving their case.
