The 2023 Annual Guardian ad Litem Training and Update

Written by: Megan Dell

CLE Materials: “The GAL Protects the Kids, But Who Protects the GAL?” Presentation for the 2023 Annual Guardian ad Litem Training and Update

On January 27, 2023, Megan Dell was a presenter at the 2023 Annual Guardian ad Litem Training and Update sponsored by the South Carolina Bar. The seminar is produced annually to provide guardians ad litem with education credit in the areas of child custody and visitation, which is required by S.C. Code Ann. Section 63-3-820(A).

Megan, alongside Almand Barron of Shea & Barron, addressed, “The GAL Protects the Kids, But Who Protects the GAL?” 

During their presentation, they discussed both appropriately challenging a guardian ad litem’s investigation and avoiding improper attacks, and how a guardian ad litem can respond to each. Most significantly, they provided sample motions to be used by guardians ad litem when asking the Family Court to prohibit inappropriate threats or tactics. 

During her part of the presentation, Megan Dell described how the intersection of civility and mental health concerns can affect everyone involved in the case, and how it is necessary to remember to be kind, even when zealously advocating for a client or child.

The written presentation materials can be downloaded here, and the PowerPoint slides can be downloaded here.