Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Connecticut - Emotions Run High At Hearing on Guardian Ad Litems - SB 494


In another emotional and charged scene parents once again spoke to their Representatives at the Judiciary Committee regarding a bill that was before them - SB 494. This is how as a parent you can bring about change to an abusive system. While your own personal experience my be compelling it alone will not bring about the change needed to reform Family Court. Parents/ consumers in Connecticut have succeeded - regardless of whether this bill goes far enough or not. Change is coming and it takes time.

CT News Junkie

Rep. Dan Carter, R-Bethel said he remembers the first time he had a constituent bring the issue up to him.

“I thought she was off her rocker. She was sending me so much information that I couldn’t absorb it. I finally spoke to her, I sat down and got to know her,” he said. “I found out that this group of people may appear nuts to us. You know why? Because they’ve lost their kids. Because they’re victims of what they feel like is an unfair system.

Many of the parents believe the family court system fosters prolonged custody battles for the benefit of the guardians and consultants affiliated with the court. Some reported GAL bills in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Colleen Buden told the committee that “parents are treated like criminals” in family court.

“Almost all the cases are the same. It’s the Connecticut family court playbook — the targeted parent is accused of having a mental illness. At that point the targeted parent hires professionals to fend of the allegations but once you clear one allegation along comes another. It’s endless. Most allegations come from the guardian ad litem,” she said.

Full story: CT News Junkie


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