Divorce: What NOT to Say to a Guardian ad Litem
If a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) has been appointed in your divorce or custody case, it's normal to feel anxious.
You may wonder:
Are they judging me?
What should I tell them?
Should I explain everything my ex has done?
Can I defend myself?
What if they don't believe me?
The truth is, many parents accidentally hurt their own custody case—not because they're bad parents, but because they're overwhelmed and don't understand what a Guardian ad Litem is actually looking for.
In this episode of How Not to Suck at Divorce, Andrea Rappaport and family law attorney Morgan Stogsdill sit down with Atlanta family law attorney Daniel Bloom to explain exactly how to communicate with a Guardian ad Litem and the mistakes that can quietly damage your credibility.
Stop Talking About Your Ex
One of Daniel's biggest pieces of advice?
Talk about your children—not your ex.
When a Guardian ad Litem asks about your child, resist the urge to immediately explain everything the other parent is doing wrong.
Instead, focus on:
Your child's strengths
Their challenges
Their routines
Their emotional needs
Their well-being
A Guardian ad Litem is evaluating what's in the best interests of your child—not looking for the parent with the longest list of complaints.
Don't Be the Petty Parent
Missing jackets.
Forgotten shoes.
Lost hockey sticks.
It happens.
Daniel explains why constantly escalating small issues can make you appear unreasonable and distract from the issues that actually matter.
Sometimes the smartest move isn't winning the argument—it's protecting your credibility.
Nobody Is Looking for the Perfect Parent
One of the most refreshing moments in this episode is Daniel's reminder that there is no such thing as a perfect parent.
Guardians ad Litem aren't looking for perfection.
They're looking for parents who:
Are honest
Take accountability
Put their children first
Can communicate respectfully
Are willing to learn
Trying too hard to look perfect often has the opposite effect.
Quality Over Quantity
Many parents become consumed by percentages of parenting time.
Daniel offers an important perspective:
Your influence in your child's life isn't measured only by the number of overnights.
Meaningful, emotionally safe relationships matter just as much.
What You'll Learn
What a Guardian ad Litem actually does
The biggest mistakes parents make during custody evaluations
Why criticizing your co-parent can backfire
Why saying "our children" matters
How to communicate effectively with your Guardian ad Litem
Why email often works better than texting
How OurFamilyWizard can reduce conflict
What Guardians ad Litem are really evaluating
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