Escape from the Mayo Clinic: Parents break teen out of world-famous hospital

One winter afternoon last year, Duane Engebretson sat in his stepdaughter's hospital room at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, trying to figure out how she could escape.

More >> Escape from the Mayo Clinic: Parents break teen out of world-famous hospital

Former volunteer for Guardian Ad Litem asks Moore commissioners to investigate child protective services

Pamela Reed, the Guardian Ad Litem assigned to investigate the custody case of 23-month-old Rylan Ott who drowned in April, implored Moore County commissioners on Tuesday to investigate the county's child protective services, which is under the department of social services.

More >> Former volunteer for Guardian Ad Litem asks Moore commissioners to investigate child protective services

Child and Family Agency raises critical issues about how children are protected in the courts

Child and Family Agency raises critical issues about how children are protected in the courts

How best to secure the welfare of children in need of protection is a matter of concern both to society, and to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The agency’s chief executive, Gordon Jeyes, is critical of many aspects of national child care provision services. Mr Jeyes is well placed to make his criticisms. He was appointed to the post 18 months ago, and therefore he speaks both from direct experience, and from an impressive professional background. He was also the UK’s first Director of Children’s Services. His outspoken comments should help to start a wider national debate on the adequacy of Childcare Act 1991, which Mr Jeyes contends now requires a fundamental review.

Augusta courts respond to complaints against guardians ad litem

Augusta courts respond to complaints against guardians ad litem

There's a new set of rules designed to help clear up problems in the Augusta Judicial Circuit's guardian ad litem system.

Lawyer wants judge to order measles shots for 4 children

Lawyer wants judge to order measles shots for 4 children

A court-appointed attorney for four children removed from their parents' care asked a Michigan judge on Wednesday to order measles vaccinations for the children against the wishes of their parents, who are trying to regain custody in an ongoing child neglect case.

Nowacki Mike - Don't fall for the "snow job".

At the conclusion of this clip, "Nonexistent" victims, covered up by snow job propaganda, can at least get ROTFL relief from resulting PTSD symptoms.

More parents complain of guardian ad litem billing

More parents complain of guardian ad litem billing

Two more people are alleging that a guardian ad litem in Augusta’s Judicial Circuit has charged “unreasonable and unjustified” fees.

Name And Shame Guardians

Name And Shame Guardians

This is a simple site for simple reasons. Naming and shaming guardians in family court proceedings. All you need to do is add name, area, court they operate in to the comments box below. Once added your comment will be moderated.

GALs Are Withdrawing From Cases As Court Reform Tensions Grow

GALs Are Withdrawing From Cases As Court Reform Tensions Grow

Increasingly angry tactics have been pervading the public inquiry into family court custody reform, triggering a fight-or-flight response from top members of the family bar.

Reforms sought to Conn. child custody cases sought

Reforms sought to Conn. child custody cases sought

A state task force is recommending reforms to child custody cases in state courts, including capping court-appointed child guardians' fees that many parents say are wiping out their finances.

Would you want a Guardian ad litem with this kind of training?

Would you want a Guardian ad litem with this kind of training?

This is a look at two businesses. One financial the other legal. Both deal with sensitive information, rules and regulations. Both have training programs to give the tools needed to stay within accepted standards and compliance. Both are radically different.

Maine: Notice of Opportunity to Comment - Proposed Amendment Rules for Guardians ad litem

The state of Maine is looking to amend the rules for Guardian Ad Litem's which are basically lawyers appointed by judges for your children in custody battles.  GAL's are appointed in both divorce cases and Child Protection matters, where they can sign off on what the state asks for and secure a contract until the kid turns 18 and ages out of foster care.

The problems with the current rules include everything from billing parents thousands of dollars for their services by dragging everything out, to unfairly siding with one parent over the other so that the parent (usually fathers) lose access to the child, to committing fraud on behalf of DHHS in CPS cases.  

The court is asking for comments on the new rules and amendments.

http://www.courts.state.me.us/rules_adminorders/rules/proposed/gal/notice_opp_comment_mr_gals_2013-11-13.shtml

Thanks to our friends at Maine GAL Alert for their outstanding work on this issue.

A Cherokee County court has been asked to suspend visits between Veronica and her adoptive parents

A Cherokee County court has been asked to suspend visits between Veronica and her adoptive parents

Confirming that her adoptive parents are being allowed to see Baby Veronica, a Cherokee County court has been asked to suspend their visits until further hearings can be held.

Family Law Advisory Commission Review of Proposed Rules for Guardians ad litem

Family Law Advisory Commission Review of Proposed Rules for Guardians ad litem

The following letter was sent out this morning to the Hon Leigh Saufley directly with copies going to the Governor and members of the Judiciary Committee. While the Hon Leigh Saufley asked for commentary from the committee that is working on reforming the Guardian ad litem complaint process – MeGALalert, and the consumers of the Divorce Industry do have a say in what happens with any reform. This maybe even more so when considering that the Family Law Advisory Commission had not one consumer.

Judge dismisses lawsuit that challenged guardian ad litem system

Judge dismisses lawsuit that challenged guardian ad litem system

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Moscow man who challenged Lackawanna County's use of court-appointed attorneys in private child custody disputes.

Guardian ad litem reforms praised by supporters; LePage to sign bill Monday

Guardian ad litem reforms praised by supporters; LePage to sign bill Monday

People seeking reforms to the guardian ad litem system called the bill passed last month by the Legislature “a good beginning,” but at least one guardian ad litem said the legislation was unnecessary.

Senator pushing major overhaul of Maine's guardian at litem system

Senator pushing major overhaul of Maine's guardian at litem system


Before David Dutremble got divorced in 2005 and fought for shared custody of his children, he had never heard of a guardian ad litem.

Lawmakers, judges, parents call for improvements to court-appointed guardians system

Lawmakers, judges, parents call for improvements to court-appointed guardians system

Divorces and child custody disagreements can be messy and when parents can’t resolve their differences alone, courts appoint a guardian ad litem to investigate the situation and make recommendations.

Op-ed: State should provide attorneys for foster children

Op-ed: State should provide attorneys for foster children


Children in Washington’s foster care deserve attorney representation, according to guest columnists Bobbe J. Bridge and Joel Benoliel.

Maine’s courts ignore Rules and Standards for Guardians ad litem

Maine’s courts ignore Rules and Standards for Guardians ad litem


The Rules and Standards for Guardians ad litem are posted on the Maine’s Judiciary web site. The rules and guidelines are there for the public to view. To help them understand the process that the courts and Guardians ad litem must go through and adhere to while caring out their job and responsibilities.

Note: The courts ignore the rules and standards for CPS Agents too.  But shhhhh.... That's a secret.