Virginia’s family courts have developed into an unchecked, insular fraternity in which judges, attorneys, and guardians ad litem's (GAL) repeatedly work within the same close professional and social circles. Without meaningful transparency or independent oversight, GAL recommendations can be accepted despite evidence of bias, incomplete investigations, unequal treatment of parents, and conclusions that exceed the GAL’s education and qualifications. The gravest consequence is not simply that parents lose custody—it is that Virginia’s children lose stable homes, trusted relationships, and their right to have their voices and best interests genuinely protected. Virginia’s children are being harmed by a system that protects its own members from accountability.

Guardian Ad Litems have ethical obligations to act in the best interest of the children they represent. However, when the very custodians of justice become part of an opaque network that cultivates bias over fairness, children are unjustly taken away from loving homes and pulled from their lives -- often forced to live with a parent they have no relationship with. These influential personal ties between GALs, attorneys, and judges result in decisions that protect each other rather than serve the true purpose of the court.

Studies have shown that an unbiased, fact-driven assessment of familial situations is best conducted by mental health professionals, especially those specializing in child development. Appointing mental health experts as GALs would ensure that those decisions are grounded in clinical knowledge and devoid of the legal fraternity's internal politics. This practical reform has been successfully implemented in regions where similar issues were rampant, leading to fairer custody outcomes.

For instance, in states like New York and California, the appointment of qualified mental health professionals has shown a decrease in contested custody outcomes and an increase in family reunification rates. This evidence-based approach respects children's needs and ensures that their welfare remains at the forefront of all custody deliberations.

We're not calling for a drastic overhaul of the system but advocating for a simple, yet crucial, change. By reserving the role of GALs for experts in child psychology and development, Virginia can lead by example and rectify the systemic issue adversely affecting families not only in Alexandria but throughout the state.

We demand that Virginia:

1. Require every GAL appointed for a child to hold an active Virginia clinical license in child psychology, counseling, clinical social work, psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, behavior analysis, or another field directly related to child development and mental health.
2. Prohibit GALs from making recommendations outside the scope of their education, license, and professional competence (The provision of a medical license would prevent GAL’s from working beyond their scope of practice).
3. Require the immediate recusal and replacement of a GAL whenever a personal, professional, social, or financial relationship with a judge or attorney creates an actual or apparent conflict of interest (Requiring GALs to hold an independent clinical license in a field related to child development or mental health—and to comply with that profession’s ethical and conflict-of-interest standards—would help dismantle the insular, overlapping relationships that currently undermine public confidence in the independence of GAL appointments).
4. Establish randomized or independently administered GAL appointments so judges are prohibited from forming a professional relationship with the GAL
5. Require GALs to provide both parents with equal access and equal opportunities to submit information, identify witnesses, answer allegations, and correct factual inaccuracies.
6. Allow neurotypical minors, aged 14 and older, to speak for themselves in court

It's time to address this injustice and make a change that truly prioritizes the well-being of children and the rights of parents. I urge you to sign this petition to drive impactful change in Virginia's family court system, and support an initiative that places the welfare of children above all else. Please join me in demanding that Virginia appoints qualified mental health professionals as Guardian Ad Litems, to ensure fair and unbiased court proceedings.

Plainly stated, a law degree alone does not provide the education, clinical training, or professional competence necessary to make recommendations about what is in the best interest of a child.

Please sign this petition and help us demand reform of Virginia’s guardian ad litem system and keep our children safe.