When parents continue to struggle after a divorce or custody judgment has been entered, the conflict often shifts from major legal issues to recurring disputes over day-to-day parenting decisions. These cases can consume significant emotional, financial, and judicial resources while exposing children to ongoing conflict.
In Wisconsin, two professionals who could be involved in helping families navigate these challenges are the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) and the Parent Coordinator. Although both roles focus on the well-being of children, they serve very different functions.
Understanding the difference can help parents, attorneys, and courts determine which resource is most appropriate for a particular case.
What Is a Guardian ad Litem?
A Guardian ad Litem is an attorney appointed by the court to represent the best interests of the child in a family law proceeding. Wisconsin law often requires the appointment of guardians ad litem (“GAL”) to assist in resolving disputes about legal custody and substantial changes to physical placement.
When I have acted as a GAL in the past I would commonly encounter people who would describe the role of the GAL in terms similar to judges or court commissioners. I would hear about how a GAL is neutral. How the GAL determines facts. How the GAL makes decisions. People would speak about GAL’s recommendation as if it were an order on the parties themselves. This not accurate.
A guardian ad litem in many ways is no different from the other attorneys involved in the family law case. The GAL has the same ethical duties as the parent’s attorneys. Like the parents’ attorneys the GAL is an “interested party” in the case. This means that GAL investigates facts, takes sides, picks fights, and make arguments to the Court just like any other attorney. The major difference is that parents’ attorneys have clients to whom those ethical duties attach and whose side the attorney fights for. The GAL doesn’t have a client. The GAL only represents the best interest of the child. It is the concept of best interest of the child who the GAL fights for and where the GAL ethical duties rest.
A GAL’s responsibilities may include:
- Interviewing parents and children
- Reviewing school, medical, and counseling records
- Communicating with teachers, therapists, and other professionals
- Making recommendations regarding custody and placement
- Advocating for those recommendations at hearings and trials
- Being the child’s voice to the court while it makes decisions affecting the child
In many cases, the GAL’s involvement revolves around the GAL’s appointment to the legal case, which typically ends once the litigation or proceeding concludes.
What Is a Parent Coordinator?
A Parent Coordinator serves a very different purpose.
A parent coordinator is a neutral professional, typically an attorney, trained in conflict resolution and child-focused decision-making who assists parents in implementing court orders, resolving disputes, and improving communication after a judgment has been entered. Parent coordinators are most commonly utilized in high-conflict cases where parents struggle to co-parent effectively despite the existence of a custody and placement order.
A parent coordinator acts in ways most people expect a GAL to act in a case. The parent coordinator is a neutral who makes decisions to help parents reduce conflict and resolve impasses when mom and dad simply can’t get along. This method of calling balls and strikes adds accountability and cost-effective conflict resolution to parties who may otherwise find themselves locked in a constant court battle.
Examples include disagreements concerning:
- School communications
- Extracurricular activities
- Scheduling conflicts
- Exchange logistics
- Medical appointments
- Travel arrangements
- Electronic communication
- Compliance with parenting plans
The Key Difference: Litigation Versus Implementation
The simplest way to distinguish the two roles is this:
- A Guardian ad Litem helps the court decide what should happen.
- A Parent Coordinator helps parents successfully carry out what has already been ordered.
A GAL is typically involved during an active court battle when legal custody, physical placement, or other issues remain unresolved. The GAL gathers information and advocates for the child’s best interests, so the court can make informed decisions.
A parent coordinator, by contrast, typically becomes involved after the court has already entered orders and the parents continue to struggle with implementing them. The parent coordinator is a true neutral whose focus is less on determining legal rights and more on reducing conflict and improving day-to-day functioning.
When Is a Guardian ad Litem Most Helpful?
A GAL may be particularly beneficial when:
- Custody is contested.
- Placement is contested.
- There are concerns regarding a child’s welfare.
- The court requires independent investigation.
- Significant factual disputes exist.
- The court needs recommendations regarding the child’s best interests.
In those situations, the GAL serves an essential role in helping the court evaluate evidence and reach an appropriate decision.
When Is a Parent Coordinator Most Helpful?
Parent coordination may be especially effective when:
- Parents repeatedly return to court.
- Communication consistently breaks down.
- Placement exchanges create ongoing conflict.
- Minor disputes become major battles.
- Children are caught in the middle of parental disagreements.
- Existing court orders are adequate but difficult to implement.
These cases often involve parents who are unable to resolve routine disagreements without outside assistance. A parent coordinator can help create structure, accountability, and practical solutions that allow families to move forward.
Can a Case Benefit from Both?
Absolutely.
Some of the most challenging family law cases may involve both a GAL and a parent coordinator at different stages of the case.
For example, a GAL may assist the court during litigation regarding custody and placement issues. After the matter is resolved, a parent coordinator may then help the parents implement the resulting orders and prevent future disputes from escalating into additional litigation.
Viewed together, these professionals can play complementary roles in promoting children’s well-being and helping families achieve greater stability.
Keeping the Focus on Children
Whether a family works with a Guardian ad Litem, a Parent Coordinator, or both, the ultimate goal remains the same: protecting children from the harmful effects of ongoing parental conflict.
In many post-judgment cases, the legal issues have already been decided. What remains is the difficult work of co-parenting. Parent coordination can provide a practical and child-focused tool for families who need assistance moving beyond conflict and toward more effective communication and problem solving.
At Peterson, Berk & Cross, we are committed to helping families reduce conflict, improve co-parenting relationships, and create stable environments in which children can thrive.
If you are an attorney, guardian ad litem, judicial officer, or parent interested in learning more about parent coordination services, contact Attorney Devin C. Shanley to discuss whether parent coordination may be appropriate for your case.