In 2002, the Edmund S. Muskie Fellowship for Legal Services issued a
report titled "A Voice for Low-Income Children: Evaluating Guardians
ad litem in Divorce and Parental Right and Responsibilities Cases."
The research found that there are significant benefits to appointing
GALs in contested family law proceedings. The report relied upon surveys
of GALs, District Court Judges and Case Management Officers, Family Law
Attorneys and Domestic Violence Advocates. According to the results of
the surveys, GALs effectively represent the best interests of children
in family proceedings, they assist the Court in issuing custodial
decisions, assist in settlement of highly contested cases and otherwise
expedite the legal process.
Other major findings of the report include:
