Learn Center · The child's voice, structured
Florida courts can appoint guardians ad litem, order social investigations, and use parenting coordinators — each with statutory powers, qualifications, and confidentiality rules.
A guardian ad litem investigates and reports on the child's best interests (§§ 61.401–61.405) with defined powers and immunity; they are the court's eyes, not either parent's advocate.
Social investigations (§ 61.20) and parenting-plan recommendations bring professional evaluation into contested parenting cases.
Parenting coordination (§ 61.125, Rule 12.742) helps implement plans in high-conflict cases — with consent and safety limits built into the rule.
Courts commonly allocate GAL and evaluator costs between the parties based on financial circumstances — it is part of the litigation-cost conversation in contested parenting cases.
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