When Guardians ad Litem Become Part of the Problem

When Guardians Ad Litem Become Part of the Problem

Guardians ad litem (GALs) are supposed to protect children. They’re appointed to be the voice of the child, the neutral observer who cuts through the noise of litigation. But in too many family court cases, GALs don’t protect children, they protect narratives.

The Meme Says It All, “If you encourage the alienating behavior of one parent while disregarding the evidence of alienation by the other parent… If you keep children away from safe and loving parents while forcing them to remain with their abusive parent… you must be a Guardian ad Litem.” That’s not satire. That’s reality in courtrooms across the country.

Crooked and bias family court GALs accept whatever fits their chosen storyline, ignoring evidence that contradicts it. They treat court orders as cover, so long as they’re technically following the order, the harm to the child is dismissed. They align emotionally with the alienating parent, often under the guise of “listening to the child,” while overlooking the manipulation behind those words.

The result? Children are left with the very parent who’s doing the most damage, while safe and loving parents are sidelined.

Alienation isn’t always obvious. It looks like loyalty, fear, or “preference.” A GAL who fails to investigate beyond surface-level statements ends up reinforcing abuse. Instead of protecting the child’s bond with both parents, they weaponize their authority to cement the alienation. And because judges lean heavily on GAL recommendations, the damage is multiplied. A biased or lazy GAL can dictate years of a child’s life.

GALs are often shielded from scrutiny. Families who try to challenge them are told “the court appointed them,” as if that grants immunity from mistakes or misconduct. Meanwhile, children live with the fallout of their poor decisions.

A GAL who disregards alienation, parrots one parent’s narrative, and hides behind court orders isn’t protecting children, they’re enabling abuse.

Family court reform won’t happen until GALs are held accountable to the same standard they claim to represent: the child’s best interest. Anything less isn’t advocacy, it’s betrayal.