Opinion ID: 2298408
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Termination of the Guardian ad Litem

Text: [¶ 21] We review the dismissal of a GAL for an abuse of discretion. See 19-A M.R.S. § 1507(1) (2011); see also Coppersmith v. Coppersmith, 2001 ME 165, ¶ 4, 786 A.2d 602. The statutory factors the court must consider in appointing a GAL, see 19-A M.R.S. § 1507(1)(A)-(H), can also be instructive in determining when a GAL's services are no longer needed. [¶ 22] Here, the GAL had provided thorough information to the court for the original trial on the motions to amend the divorce judgment. The court had already capped the fees of the GAL and was notified that the GAL was nearing that cap. Andrew had previously asked the court for financial relief in paying Abby's attorney fees and cited financial limitations in discussing the potential visit. It was not an abuse of discretion for the court to consider the financial resources of the parties in making its determination to dismiss the GAL. See id. § 1507(1)(D). [¶ 23] The order of the court terminating the services of the GAL is affirmed, and the order is otherwise affirmed in all respects. We decline to consider sanctions on this record. The entry is: Judgment affirmed.