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Chelan County Calendar

Title 26 Family Law Guardian ad Litem Training

When: February 25, 2015 08:00 AM - February 27, 2015 05:00 PM
Where: Rainier Square Conference Center
1301 Fifth Avenue, Seattle WA 98101
Event Coordinator: (206) 267-7008

Event Details:

Information about GAL Qualifications and Requirements in King County:

www.kcba.org/cle/pdf/175-2012_administrative_policy.pdf 

For an overview of the training and a description of FAMILY LAW GALs,
please review the TITLE 26 FAMILY LAW GAL MANUAL at:

www.kcba.org/CLE/Title26GAL.pdf

Introduction to Service as a Family Law GAL, Title 26

There are different types of GALs.  Some investigate whether an individual is incapacitated.  Some investigate child abuse, neglect and foster care issues.   Some investigate settlement offers in personal injury cases.  Family Law GALs investigate child custody disputes.  Even though all GALs investigate what might be in the “best interest” of an individual, the duties and responsibilities differ widely in each type of GAL assignment.  The legal term “best interest” conforms to the statutes, rules and caselaw in each category of GAL work.  This Guidebook will focus only on Washington State Family Law GALs, who investigate child custody issues.

Just as there are different types of GALs, there are different types of child custody disputes.  Family Law GALs may be appointed in the following five types:

  1. Dissolution:  The parents are getting a divorce and a parenting plan must be ordered by the court.
  2. Paternity:  The parents are not married and a parenting plan must be ordered by the court.
  3. Modification:  A parenting plan was ordered by the court in the past, but one or both parties are seeking to change the parenting plan.
  4. Relocation:  One of the parents is seeking to move the child to a new location.
  5. Third Party Custody:  Someone who is not a parent has petitioned the court for custody, e.g., Grandparent or relative.

While each type of child custody dispute differs from the others, two factors remain constant for GALs.  Family Law GALs are generally appointed in high conflict cases and the court needs additional information from a neutral source.   The parties are typically struggling through very difficult child custody disputes that generate intense and painful emotions.  Emotions can become so intense that the parties are unable to think or communicate rationally at times.  Complex issues related to temporary or lifelong mental health issues might generate additional conflict between the parties or confusion for the court.  Concerns about domestic violence, child abuse or neglect might come into question.  Substance abuse issues might concern the court.  In short, child custody disputes involve families in varying degrees of crisis and the court appoints a GAL to gather more information it needs to make a decision.

Before the training it would be helpful for you to review the Guidebook, which is available on-line at:  http://www.kcba.org/CLE/Title26GAL.pdf

Before the training, it would also be helpful for you to review RCW 26.09, 26.10, 26.26, which is available on-line at:  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?Cite=26

REGISTRATION: Read more Additional Information and Registration Link

CANCELLATIONS: Please read the full brochure when available before registering for this program. If you must cancel, tuition will be refunded less a $50 administrative fee, if cancellation is received in writing (cle@kcba.org or fax 206-267-7099) by 5:00pm, February 23,2015. After this date, no refunds will be permitted; however, substitute attendees are welcome.

Electronic Course Materials
*  Course materials will be distributed to registrants in an electronic format – searchable PDF files that you can download to your computer. 
*  Before the program you will receive an email with instructions on how to save the materials to your computer.

21.0 Total CLE Credits
20.0 General, 1.0 Ethics