How a GAL Helped Unite Loved Ones for Two Young Sisters
The mother of two young girls, ages 4 and 6, passed away in 2021. The girls’ father had never established paternity and was incarcerated. Maternal and Paternal relatives filed dueling cross-petitions for guardianship of the girls, one of whom was living with mother’s side of the family and the other with father’s, making for a complicated situation. Acting as Guardian ad Litem representing the girls’ best interests, 711 student Fotini Marut conducted an investigation, wrote two excellent GAL reports, and recommended that maternal grandparents be appointed as guardians of the girls based on their longtime stability, clean records, loving home, and sincere desire to come together with the paternal relatives to raise the children as a family. The matter was set for trial, but settled amicably when the parties reconciled after tearful conversations outside the courtroom. Fotini did an excellent job as the Guardian ad Litem in this case, working with the parties, diffusing tense situations, and adeptly advocating for the best interests of the girls.