BWJP hosted a webinar in partnership with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges on guardian ad litem (GAL) best practices when working with self-represented parties. GALs have an important role to play as independent court-appointed investigators who recommend custody arrangements that represent the best interests of a child.

GALs highlight firsthand experiences and practical strategies from the field. 

Takeaways include:

• How to work with self-representing parties.
• Best practices for explaining the role of a guardian ad litem.
• Effective and safe communication strategies.
• Navigating court deadlines and limited resources.
• Importance of self-care and safety planning for GALs.

Panelists: Sarah Rahter (OH); Kari White (OH); Haley Coet (FL)

Grant info: This project was supported by Grant No.15JOVW-24-GK-03036-MUMU awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.