Guardian ad Litem Program

Right now, thousands of Vermont's children and youth are part of proceedings in the family division.Many are involved in abuse, neglect, or delinquency proceedings and may be experiencing significant uncertainty about their homes, families, schools, and futures. They may be in foster care while they wait for safe, permanent homes. They may need someone to help them understand what's happening, to advocate for their best interests, and to make sure that their voices are heard.

To children, the entire court experience may be confusing and scary. As part of the process,they may have their most private secrets revealed to strangers. When the case is over, these strangers disappear and leave the children to live with the decisions made about their lives.

The Vermont Guardian ad Litem Program (VTGAL) ensures that every court has trained volunteers to serve as caring and independent child advocates, because

• No child should feel unheard.
• No child should feel lost.
• No child should feel helpless.
• No child should feel alone.

A guardian ad litem (GAL) can make certain that at least one child is not alone. If you are interested in serving as a GAL, click here.

Vermont law requires a guardian ad litem (GAL) for every child in a child abuse or child neglect case. GALs may also work with children in delinquency cases when the court determines that their parents have conflicts of interest. Other statutes may require GALs in certain divorce or custody cases, as well as in cases when a child must testify. While courts sometimes appoint volunteer GALs to those cases, more often than not judges appoint lawyers instead. Vermont does not distinguish between the volunteer GALs assigned primarily in CHINS and delinquency cases and those assigned in other cases.

You don't need any particular education or professional background to be a volunteer guardian ad litem (GAL). Many GALs are retirees. But our volunteers also include many people who have full-time jobs. We encourage anyone committed to helping Vermont’s most vulnerable children to apply.

Our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, but they share common qualities. Most GALs are nonjudgmental, strong communicators, organized, objective, flexible, and/or tactfully assertive. If you see these qualities in yourself and if you care deeply about children and families, serving as a GAL may be the right fit for you.

Judges appoint a GAL in all child abuse and child neglect cases and occasionally in divorce or custody cases or cases when a child must testify. The GAL makes recommendations to the court and advocates for the child’s best interests in and out of court until the case is over.

A GAL typically:

• Meets with the child at least once a month
• Gathers information from parents, foster parents, and other people close to the child
• Communicates regularly with Vermont's Department for Children and Families (DCF) and the child’s lawyer
• Promotes cooperation between the parties
• Ensures that the court has all relevant information about the child

A child abuse or child neglect case can take up to two years to close. We ask that you make a two-year commitment to being a guardian ad litem (GAL) to reduce disruption and to be a consistent presence in the child's life. Although we know that unforeseen events may make this impossible, please keep this expectation in mind.

Guardians ad litem typically spend 5 to 10 hours per month per child for the duration of a case. They usually spend more time in the early stages of a case and less time as the case progresses. GALs are encouraged to take cases only when they know they can invest the time needed to be effective advocates.

Hearings and some meetings take place during regular business hours. Before you volunteer, make sure your employer will approve your occasional need to participate during the workday. You will also want to maintain a caseload that works for you and your employer. The Vermont Guardian ad Litem Program can verify your volunteer hours if your employer sponsors a community service program.

In Vermont guardians ad litem are volunteers. However, the court reimburses GALs for mileage and other approved expenses.

If you are related to a child involved in a court case and want to learn about the role of the volunteer guardian ad litem, click here. 

A guardian ad litem (GAL) is a volunteer who advocates for children involved in court cases. A judge appoints a GAL to promote a child's best interests in and out of court. Only the judge has the authority to assign or remove a GAL.

For more information please call 802-828-0625 or email Vermontgal@vtcourts.gov.

For questions and feedback regarding the Vermont GAL Program please contact:

Rob Post
Programs Manager, Juvenile Matters
Office of the Court Administrator
109 State St.
Montpelier VT, 05609
802-828-0625

Imagine a retirement life full of learning new things, meeting interesting people, and hanging out with kids. Walking with them as they learn and grow. Seeing differences in their lives as a result (at least in part) of your caring efforts.

That’s what I got starting in 2017, after a long engineering career. Like all GALs, I started out with one case, and added a few more when I was ready. Some of those cases were kind of heartbreaking, to be honest. But I kept at it, and found myself increasingly fascinated by the kaleidoscopic world I had entered. I also took time for seminars, webinars, coursework, and reading to deepen my understanding of substance use, domestic violence, legal systems, restorative justice, child and adolescent development, trauma, special education, and social service practices. I needn’t have worried about intellectual stagnation.

One of my favorite things is showing up at a modest home in a rural area or in one of Vermont’s towns, and building connections with children, parents, grandparents, foster parents, teachers, and therapists. My travel bag of games and toys gets a lot of wear and tear!

I don’t see stopping any time soon.

-Nate Hine