Every child deserves to be heard in the US for of law. I'm calling on the US Congress to get along for 3 minutes to create bipartisan legislation to grant children in custody battles a Guardian Ad Litem, or GAL for short, for free to represent the children's best interest. We are supposed to take care of our kids in the US, and there are too many holes in the justice system for the children to be lost and have their voices muted in heated custody battles. If a parent can't afford an attorney, they certainly can't afford a GAL. Judges earn $90K annually on average, and they don't understand the term "broke". If Congress passed a bill to guarantee every food a GAL, the best interests of the children will always be the focal point... not the parents, the judge, the parents' attorneys or biased & unfavorable treatment... ONLY the children. I live pay check to pay check...I can't afford a GAL, but I'm praying for help. In the meantime, we need common sense laws to help our children because they can't help who their parents are... especially when one parent is only trying to hurt the other parent and using the children as pawns. We have witnessed children end up in vicarious situations and subjected to abuse, neglect, abandonment, even death because the court didn't fully listen the voices of the children and what they desire in a custody or divorce case. If they are old enough to elect, allow them to elect. In the state of Georgia, a child can elect at 11 years old but the courts feel that 14 is more appropriate to automatically grant the election. WHY? My 11 year old son is smart, articulate and knows what he wants to do regarding custody and parenting time. So if the law states 11, the court needs to stop making exceptions and grant the election at 11 years old in the state of Georgia. National legislation should require a GAL and it should be court appointed at the courts expense to ensure fair treatment in the case and that the children remain the priority. If you are a parent and you have found yourself in a custody or child support battle, you understand the importance of the children having their own representation for free. Sign this petition to initiate the change that the children deserve!