Marybeth Sampsel now performing Guardian ad Litem Services in Flathead County, Lake County and Lincoln County

I have written several articles about guardians ad litem being utilized in Montana child custody/parenting case or Montana divorce cases.  There are several great attorneys doing guardian ad litem work in Flathead County, but it seems guardians ad litem are still pretty hard to come by.   After careful consideration, I have decided to expand my practice to include guardian ad litem services.  I will handle cases in Flathead County, Lake County or Lincoln County.

For those of you unfamiliar with guardian ad litem work, a guardian ad litem (also referred to by the acronym “GAL”) acts as a quasi-representative for minor children involved in custody/parenting cases or divorce cases.   GALs report and recommend to the court what they think would be the best parenting plan for a child.  GALs generally do a thorough and independent investigation prior to making a report and recommendation to the court.  The GAL meets with the minor child(ren); meets with both parents; speaks with other family members, teachers and providers; and visits the parents’ homes.  In other words, the GAL has the opportunity to speak with and see a lot more than a judge is able to see when sitting on the bench.  After reading the report and recommendation from a GAL, the judge has the opportunity to put the GALs recommendation in place, approve it in part or reject it entirely.

As a GAL, I plan to provide thorough, efficient and timely services.  I understand the importance of resolving parenting cases as quickly as possible, while still taking the time to do a thorough investigation.  I also understand that by the time a GAL is involved, the parties may be feeling financially strained.  I look forward to serving the families of the Flathead, Lake and Lincoln counties.

For more information on guardians ad litem, read my blog over the next few weeks.

If you are interested in retaining me to act as a guardian ad litem in your case, please contact me at (406)752-6373.