The events surrounding a child during child custody law proceedings can be emotional, scary and confusing. In difficult child custody cases where the parents are unable to agree on a child custody settlement, an attorney will be appointed by the court to represent the child or children of the parties while issues are resolved. This decision is purely on discretion of the court.
Having a court-appointed attorney represent your child can be beneficial. They play a role as a neutral third party that can discuss things with the child away from the presence and influence of either parent.
As part of the proceedings, the attorney may speak to teachers, counselors and other friends or family members that play some sort of role in the child’s life. At any point in litigation or conversations with others, the court-appointed attorney representing the child can recommend professional evaluations of the children and the parents. Some states will allow the attorney to recommend which parent should be granted custody and have input on terms of visitation rights.
The primary role of a child’s court-appointed attorney is to visit the child to learn what they want, advise them, and advise the judge of the client’s position while advocating for the best interests of the child.
For more information on child custody agreements and if your child will need court-appointed representation, contact a Glendale divorce attorney at The Sampair Group today .