KellyStephen

I am writing this review to warn other families facing custody matters involving Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Kelly Stephan Based on my direct, multi-year experience with her, this GAL does not conduct objective investigations. Instead, she relies on fabricated narratives, ignores due process, and actively misleads the court. I have concrete, verifiable, documentary evidence of the following misconduct: • Fabricating Children's Statements: In her reports, Kelly Stephan explicitly claimed that my children made positive statements regarding their safety and desire to stay at their father's home. I possess direct, certified proof that the children never made these statements and that their words were entirely invented to manipulate the judge's decision. • Manipulating Witness Interviews: She actively contacted an outside witness and lied in her official reporting about what the witness said. The witness has since confirmed in writing that she never made any negative statements about me, proving the GAL fabricated the interview findings. • Denial of Due Process: Kellyutilizes ambush tactics. I was called into her office and subjected to a barrage of hostile, unverified accusations without any prior notice or opportunity to review the allegations. She refused to look at my evidence, showing a complete lack of neutrality and a predetermined bias. Kelly does not protect children; she actively damages families by replacing facts with fabricated stories. If you are assigned this GAL, document every single interaction in writing, record meetings if your state laws allow, and prepare to challenge her reports with strict physical evidence. I am actively filing formal grievances and motions regarding her behavior.

I have email evidence indicating that this GAL told my attorney she had “went to far” by providing a detective with evidence that could have exonerated me. Also "not in the best interests of the child" before she even met with the child. I also have reason to believe the GAL may have withheld evidence in an attempt to influence a criminal investigation—one that is outside her jurisdiction, both in terms of county and state. Additionally, I believe the GAL has demonstrated bias against me due to my inability to pay her hourly rate of $300 to submit evidence on my behalf. This creates a troubling situation where access to fair representation appears tied to financial means. There are further concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Privately, this GAL reportedly charges $8,500 for her services, while local attorneys typically range from $2,500 to $5,000. Given her role as the court’s “eyes and ears,” this raises serious questions about fairness and whether her position may be used to influence outcomes in family court. This GAL has also contributed to delays in my case, including a continuance that occurred after a court date had already been set due to her personal schedule. The second court date came and GAL was absent again. Judge asked opposing counsel where the GAL was and she replied, "we did not think he was going to be here, she is in Columbia closing on a house". The judge excused her. Not a good reason to miss a second court date when a child and family are broken. The GAL is not fulfilling her obligation to represent my daughter and the judge showed bias by granting the excused absence. I believe these actions have negatively impacted my right to due process. There are currently ten individuals, including myself, who are experiencing similar issues the the same GAL.

TShe has lied, partnered with the ex spouse attorney and did ex parte communicate, she lied about me giving her my contact info to the judge but days before court her staff called me and left a voicemail, kelly likes to bliam her staff for her lies when she gets caught lieing and much more

After 6 years of representation she demanded an additional, undiscused retainer of $10,000 within approximately 20 days. She filed to withdraw when we did not agree and when I analyzed the billing logs, she has been charging me unagreed compounding interest and had been charging me full attorney rate for paralegal-level work and for administrative overhead.

Support abuser to have custody

Refused to investigate children to include their home(s), friends, people at their school. Ignored vital information submitted.

Did not investigate children, not any calls to me, no home visits, didn’t talk to teachers. She told my attorney that me not agreeing to 50/50 custody on a Friday forced an interruption on his Disney trip and I was told v cause of that my children would be moved to their fathers. They were moved the next court date

Denied my due process for her personal vacation. Running court continuance to keep the case open to take money from hurting parents. She charges $8500 to hire for family court because she controls family court without her position.