Have any of you tried hiring an attorney to be appointed GAL

[illinoisgranny]

I've been talking to an attorney and we were throwing out strategies to try ending my grandson's case more quickly after a failed TPR in June. He suggested that we might try having the current GAL removed (she isn't doing much....never talked to me or laid eyes on my grandson) and having himself named GAL.

I know another foster parent in my county who used this attorney and he successfully got her case closed in what seemed an endless maze.

Have any of you foster parents tried this strategy? It sounds promising. He also mentioned trying for guardianship to adoption, petition to intervene and our own petition to TPR.

I never thought I would get to the point that I would consider hiring a lawyer...I am on a fixed income and not a lot left over, but if he can get my grandson safely out of this system I'm game.

Any reactions??? Any success or failure stories? Please let me know what you think.

[lauren]

I'm not sure, but it does sound like at least a consultation with an attorney very familiar with these types of situations might be a good thing so that you know ALL your options.

[Polliwog]

GAL's are court appointed, so probably no. You might be able to get the judge to appoint a new GAL but that seems pretty unlikely, too.

[Tigerchild]

As much as I empathize with your frustration...I would be a little leery of this attorney. GALs are not supposed to (well, maybe it is different in IL) go INTO it telling one side it's a slam dunk and they've already decided things before they've even conducted the investigation.

I DO think that it's a good idea to have a consultation with a family law attorney experienced in guardianship/contested TPR/kinship stuff. But...be careful with this one, if s/he did indeed say to you that your strategy should be to subvert the purpose of the GAL by inserting someone you already know has favortism and is *working for YOU* into the process as the party that is supposed to be on nobody's side but the child's. Even before the investigation!

[sesa70]

I have to preface this by saying that I don't have any experience or knowledge of kinship adoption or fostering.

But, as far as I know, foster parents don't really have many (if any) rights to the children they care for. That is one of the most frustrating parts of being a foster parent!

[illinoisgranny]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I still am waiting and won't be doing anything quickly. I'm going to wait six months and see what happens.