What’s the difference between a GAL/Child Rep and a Parenting Coordinator?

When custody disputes become particularly contentious or complex, Illinois courts may bring in additional professionals to better protect children and hopefully to reduce conflict in a family system. If you’re facing this situation, you might have heard terms like Guardian ad Litem (GAL), Child Representative, and Parenting Coordinator. While they all play important roles, they serve very different purposes.

At O. Long Law, LLC, we know how confusing these titles can be, especially during an emotionally difficult time. We’re here to help you make sense of each role, understand the differences, and see how they could affect your situation.

What Is a Guardian ad Litem (GAL)?

A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is an attorney appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child in a legal dispute. Unlike an attorney representing a client’s express wishes, a GAL makes recommendations to the court based on what they believe will best support the child’s overall well-being.

GALs are appointed at any stage in a case: either before a Judgment allocating parenting time and decision-making is entered (a “Parental Allocation Judgment”), or after parties come back to court because their Parental Allocation Judgment is outdated and they cannot agree on how to modify it or because one of the parties says the other is not following the Parental Allocation Judgment.

What Does a GAL Do?

• Interviews the child(ren) and both parents, and, if necessary depending on the facts of the case, teachers, doctors, and other relevant individuals.
• Conducts home visits at both parents’ homes where necessary and appropriate in the GAL’s opinion.
• Reviews medical, school, and psychological records where necessary and appropriate in the GAL’s opinion.
• Can be called to testify and be cross-examined.

When Is a GAL Appointed?

Judges appoint GALs whenever parents cannot agree about parenting time or decision-making issues, even after the parents have been to mediation. In general, judges do not believe that judges themselves can learn enough about a family to make good decisions without appointing a GAL to become the “expert witness” on the family. The point of a GAL is to report to the judge the facts the judge would need to know to make a ruling at a trial. Leading up to that, a GAL can also help the parties avoid a trial by making recommendations and helping the parties come to an agreement about those recommendations.

What Is a Child Representative?

A Child Representative, like a GAL, is also a court-appointed attorney. However, the approach and limitations of their role are a bit different. A Child Rep also focuses on the child’s best interests, but does not testify in court or submit a formal report. Instead, they function more like a traditional attorney in the case, serving a role as an advocate for what they believe is in the child’s best interest, based on their observations and interactions, rather than simply an expert witness like a GAL. Because they often take into account the child’s own opinion about the family, Child Representatives are generally appointed to represent children in their tweens or teens.

Like GALs, child representatives are appointed at any stage in a case: either before a Parental Allocation Judgment is entered, or after parties come back to court because their Parental Allocation Judgment is outdated and they cannot agree on how to modify it or because one of the parties says the other is not following the Parental Allocation Judgment.

What Does a Child Representative Do?

• Interviews the child and relevant parties.
• Presents arguments in court on the child’s behalf.
• Cannot be cross-examined or act as a witness.
• Does not file formal recommendations or investigative reports.

When Is a Child Representative Appointed?

Child Representatives are commonly used in high-conflict custody matters, especially when the child is old enough to express a preference.

What Is a Parenting Coordinator?

A Parenting Coordinator is a neutral third-party professional who helps parents implement and follow their parenting plan. Parenting Coordinators are NOT appointed when a Parental Allocation Judgment has not yet been entered. This is because Parenting Coordinators are not judges; they cannot make orders or compel parties to take any action. Instead, Parenting Coordinators are appointed in cases where parents continue to have conflict even after a Parental Allocation Judgment is in place.

Unlike GALs or Child Representatives, Parenting Coordinators do not represent the child or file legal arguments. Instead, they interpret the Parental Allocation Judgment when parents have disputes about what its provisions mean. The goal is to keep the parents from litigating matters that are governed by the Parental Allocation Judgment.

What Does a Parenting Coordinator Do?

• Helps parents resolve ongoing disputes over parenting issues such as visitation schedules, school activities, communication, or travel.
• Requires compliance with court-ordered parenting plans.
• Tracks patterns of behavior, such as repeated missed exchanges or failure to follow agreements.

Does a Parenting Coordinator Have Legal Power?

Parenting Coordinators only have the power given to them by the parties’ agreement and the court’s appointment order. Parenting Coordinators don’t file motions, appear in court as advocates, or offer recommendations the way GALs do.

Key Differences at a Glance

When Might the Court Appoint These Roles?

Courts typically appoint:

• A GAL for cases in which the parents cannot agree on parenting time and decision-making, even after mediation.
• A Child Representative for cases in which the parents cannot agree on parenting time and decision-making, even after mediation, and there are older minor children, like teens and tweens.
• A Parenting Coordinator when a Parental Allocation Judgment has been entered, but the parents remain in ongoing conflict over day-to-day parenting matters.

Each role supports families in different ways. GALs and Child Representatives focus on court proceedings and child advocacy, while Parenting Coordinators support parents in the real-world logistics of raising children after a divorce or parentage case is final.

How These Roles Can Help Your Family

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed if one of these professionals is appointed in your case. But their presence doesn’t mean you’re failing as a parent, it means the court is trying to protect your child and help your family find a healthier path forward. Understanding the role each professional plays can help reduce confusion, avoid unnecessary conflict, and allow you to work more productively within the legal system.

Working with O. Long Law, LLC

At O. Long Law, LLC, we have deep experience guiding parents through the complexities of contested parenting time, high-conflict co-parenting, and post-divorce parenting challenges. Whether you’re preparing to work with a Guardian ad Litem, Child Representative, or Parenting Coordinator, we’re here to ensure you understand your rights, responsibilities, and the steps ahead.

Olivia St. Clair Long is not only a trusted family law attorney, but she also serves as a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem, Child Representative, and Parenting Coordinator in Cook County. This perspective allows her to provide clients with unique insight into these roles and how they may impact your case.

Every family dynamic is different. Knowing how these appointed professionals function can bring peace of mind and empower you to make informed choices. If you have questions about your parenting time matter or need thoughtful, experienced legal support, we’re here to help. Reach out to O. Long Law, LLC today to schedule a consultation.