After a 34 year career in education, Candace turned her passion for helping children into a fulfilling job as a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL). For those unfamiliar with the term, a GAL is appointed by the court to conduct investigations and make recommendations in the best interests of children involved in legal proceedings. Candace’s story is a testament to the fulfilling opportunities that can come with retirement and a reminder that it's never too late to embark on a new journey.
The Role of a Guardian Ad Litem
As a Guardian Ad Litem, Candace is appointed by the court to represent the best interests of children in various cases, including abuse and neglect, parenting matters, termination of parental rights, children in need of supervision, and guardianship cases. Her primary responsibility is to conduct investigations, gather relevant information, and make recommendations to the judge based on her findings.
Candace's Experience
Candace’s experience has been both rewarding and challenging. One of her biggest fears upon retiring was becoming isolated and bored - this role has not only dispelled those fears, but also enriched her life in ways she hadn't imagined. It has allowed her to stay active, engaged, and connected with a new community of professionals.
However, the job is not without its challenges. Writing reports and making recommendations can be stressful, especially when the decisions she makes may not align with the desires of the adults involved in the cases. Despite this, Candace remains focused on her primary goal: doing what is best for the children.
Q&A With Candace
What is the application and training process to become a guardian ad litem?
Well, it took a month just to write the application because it was so lengthy. I had to request my transcripts from my PhD, which took a couple of weeks and get references. The application process was quite daunting, but I chipped away at it piece by piece. Meanwhile, I received mentoring from a current GA, which was probably the most beneficial part.
In New Hampshire, and likely in other states, there's a program called "Nuts and Bolts of Guardian Ad Litem." I attended a full-day training that covered the basics, but much of the information was already familiar to me from mentoring.
I didn't have to do many courses, but there were two required for my certification. One covered the statutes related to abuse and neglect in New Hampshire, and the other focused on domestic violence. These courses, typically offered by social services, usually last about half a day to a full day.
How is the compensation for a guardian ad litem structured?
The judicial council sets the rate at $90 an hour, with caps for different case types. For instance, a neglect case has a cap of $2,100. If I approach this limit, I can file a motion to exceed it, which has always been accepted due to the complexity and time-consuming nature of these cases. Payment for these cases comes from the judicial council.
For parenting matters, guardianship issues, and some termination of parental rights cases, payment is private. The petitioners or respondents in the court case are responsible for paying me. The judge typically sets the rate, often around $150 an hour, with the payment split between the parties involved. Currently, my highest rate is $110 an hour. I aim to keep my rates reasonable as I'm still gaining experience.
My mentor, with 30 years of experience as a GAL, charges much more, but I'm content with $90 to $100 an hour.
What does CASA stand for, and how does it differ from a guardian ad litem?
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. In New Hampshire, CASAs are usually volunteers and are not paid through the judicial council or private pay like guardians ad litem.
How do you decide on the cases you takes, and how many do you handle at once?
When I first started, I only had four cases and then experienced a lull, which made me worry about my performance. I later realized that certain times of the year are busier for the court system, while other times, like July, can be slower due to vacations. To promote myself, I visited six courthouses and submitted letters of introduction along with my resume.
Now, I'm primarily working out of one court in Manchester, New Hampshire, and have built good relationships with the clerks, parole officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other court personnel. The majority of my cases come from Manchester, which I prefer as it allows me to work with familiar people and local families. I also handle a few cases in Nashua, where I live, and have recently taken on cases from another nearby court.
How many hours a week do you work on average, and what does your weekly schedule look like?
June and July were extremely busy, but this week has been lighter. On Tuesday, I had a one-hour hearing, and yesterday I did two home visits and spoke to a father. I'm constantly emailing, checking in with social workers about the children and parents. Tomorrow, I have a home visit and a phone call with a shy child who prefers not to talk in person. Despite the light schedule, I still have two motions to write and a report due by tomorrow.
I try to manage my tasks so I don't feel rushed or overwhelmed, like walking my dog in the morning and spacing out my responsibilities over the week. Last week, I took a day off to visit Brimfield, Massachusetts, without feeling guilty—a stark contrast to my previous role as a building administrator, where I always felt I needed to be present. Now, I have control over my schedule and plan trips, something I couldn't do during my 34 years in my previous job.
How do you manage your schedule with so many reports and hearings?
When I see a lot of red on my schedule, it means I have a lot of reports due. I start planning ahead and organizing my time. If they schedule a hearing, we usually set the next one before leaving, so I can get it right in my calendar. If I'm going away, I inform them, and they reschedule. Recently, they changed a termination of parental rights hearing on me, so I attended it telephonically by submitting a motion, which was granted.
Do you have any memorable cases?
My very first case - the father wanted some time. It was a really tricky case, but it ended up working out nicely. My report was critical, and that was just the preliminary report, not the final report. We never even needed the final report because the preliminary report moved things quickly to closure. It helped out a lot. The bottom line is that I'm not looking to make one parent happy over the other. It's more about the child and what's best for the child. That's what I keep going back to: what's best for the children or the child. If I feel I've really made a difference for a child, that's when it's been most rewarding.
Do you plan to continue working as a GAL? What motivates you?
I plan to continue. I still enjoy working and learn something new every day. I rely on my mentor and a GAL group for guidance. This job keeps my mind engaged, allows me to meet people, while giving me time to visit my family. It allows me to have a life of my own while being available for my family.
How has this opportunity shaped your life and perspective?
I've gained knowledge about helping children beyond just the academic aspects that most of my career focused on. I'm getting better at discussing mental health, medical issues, and other areas I hadn't explored deeply with most of the kids and families I worked with before. This experience has broadened my perspective on working with children and opened doors to learning more about their multidimensional lives. As a building principal, I touched on these issues, but not to the extent that I do now.
What advice would you give to someone interested in advocacy work?
In retirement, you can tap into opportunities that you may had no knowledge of when you were working. So I always think about finding your passion, whether it's working with rescue dogs, at a hospital, in a newspaper, or with a governmental organization.
Find whatever your passion is or something that you've always wanted to do. I bet there’s something out there for you, whether it’s volunteering or being compensated. There are so many things out there.
Joining Hively and participating in member meetings has taught me so much about opportunities I never would have thought of. When people say they’re doing something, I often think, "Wow, I never thought of that." There’s probably more out there than you imagine.
Just don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone—it’s worth it when you find the right niche for you.