| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name
 | Date | Lines | 
|---|
| 396.1 |  | MKOTS3::RAUH | I survived the Cruel Spa | Wed Jun 26 1996 12:41 | 4 | 
|  |     WRONG!! You can see it! Less of course there is some crappie about
    sealing the case and child incest crap. I would apeal that one John!!
    
    
 | 
| 396.2 |  | QUOKKA::39702::SPICER |  | Wed Jun 26 1996 14:13 | 17 | 
|  |     A GAL represents the child(ren). I don't know your circumstances but it 
    is generally better to have the GAL's support, ie don't p*** them off 
    without good reason.
    
    I experienced it both ways. Early GAL reports were not made available to 
    me or my ex. but the final report was. 
    
    After my divorce I got copies and discovered that confidential information 
    had been disclosed to the GAL that supported my position. If I had known 
    I would have used it and her impartiality would have been in question.
      
    Martin
    
    
    
    
    
 | 
| 396.3 |  | MKOTS3::RAUH | I survived the Cruel Spa | Wed Jun 26 1996 14:22 | 3 | 
|  |     I got a copy of my GAL report when I was going thru it. And sue'ed the
    bloody GAL for malpractice and malfeason!! :)
    
 | 
| 396.4 |  | TEXAS1::SOBECKY | It's complicated. | Thu Jun 27 1996 04:50 | 7 | 
|  |     Nothing like that here, George. I'm going by what my lawyer, clerk of
    probate, and two other lawyers told me yesterday.
    
    I'll get the final word today when I ask the judge.
    
    John
    
 | 
| 396.5 |  | MKOTS3::RAUH | I survived the Cruel Spa | Fri Jun 28 1996 06:36 | 12 | 
|  |     Perhaps, then I just made it under the wire. Or it was done in lew of
    the law suit that I levied against my GAL. :) 
    
    There is only one thing left to do then John... Fight like hell to see
    it. Make an issue out of it. Get all those like you in a grass roots
    level and file a class act suit against the state of Mass. For you are
    allowed to see such papers. There is a supreme court ruling.. #$#@
    1984. I will find it from my papers at home and post this tomorrow. A
    clear case of wrapping the flag in the interest of what is best for the
    child. Where under the flag exist maggots, rats, and pure crappie.
    
    
 | 
| 396.6 |  | MKOTS3::RAUH | I survived the Cruel Spa | Fri Jun 28 1996 08:40 | 4 | 
|  |     I know someone else who has been denied the chance to read the GAL
    report.
    
    
 | 
| 396.7 |  | MIASYS::HETRICK |  | Fri Jun 28 1996 09:28 | 17 | 
|  | 	  My understanding is that GaL reports may be sealed "in the
     interests of the children" (the GaL's reason for existence, after
     all).  Generally this is supposed to be used if one or both parents
     would be upset at the GaL's findings and take it out on the children.
	  However, I know from personal experience the GaL may also order
     the report sealed to prevent the GaL being embarassed.  This may
     happen if the GaL simply ignores evidence, declines to speak to
     witnesses, deliberately misinterprets evidence, and so forth.
	  I would interpret a sealed GaL report as not a good sign.  I
     would interpret a GaL report sealed from one party but not the other
     as a very, very bad sign -- basically an accusation of an abusive
     history.  However, both attorneys can always read the report, and can
     usually give some sort of precis to the opposing parties.
				     Brian
 | 
| 396.8 |  | MKOTS3::RAUH | I survived the Cruel Spa | Fri Jun 28 1996 10:37 | 4 | 
|  |     Sealing a report is in lew of child molesting, and or child abuse. And
    should not be a blantent mis-use.
    
    
 | 
| 396.9 |  | QUOKKA::11773::CASEY |  | Mon Mar 24 1997 13:58 | 3 | 
|  |     Both lawyers in our case were allowed to have copies of the GAL report.
    My husband and his ex are allowed to read the report but not allowed to
    have a copy of it.
 |