Imagine that you’re a party in a contentious divorce case. The proceedings have been a struggle since Day 1, and now it’s time to have the most important discussion — child custody. As a parent, you only want what’s best for the children. But since emotions continue to run high, and everyone appears to have their ideas for what should happen next, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to prove that you can separate personal interests from what’s best for your kids. This is where a guardian ad litem can help.
Appointed by the Court, a guardian ad litem can quickly become an objective voice of reason in such cases. More importantly, they instantly become an advocate for the most vulnerable party in all of these discussions — your children.
More About the Guardian Ad Litem
A guardian ad litem can be a counselor, social worker, court-approved adult, or a volunteer advocate from a charitable organization. Regardless, their role is to be a neutral third party. Examples of cases they may be called in for can include child custody, divorce, adoption, visitation rights, and CPS proceedings.
A guardian ad litem owes the child or incapacitated person they represent their complete loyalty and representation until a final decision on their future can be made.
A summary of their list of powers and duties per the Texas Family Code is below:
- Obtain and review copies of the child’s relevant medical, psychological, and school records.
- Conduct investigations that include interviewing the child, each person with significant knowledge of the child’s history and condition (educators, child welfare service providers, foster parents, etc.), and the parties to the suit.
- Seek out and consider the child’s wishes.
- Encourage settlements and the use of alternative forms of dispute resolution.
- Perform any specific tasks directed by the Court.
- Participate in case staffing by the Department of Family and Protective Services concerning the child.
- Attend all legal proceedings in the case, including Court-ordered mediation.
- Review and sign, or decline to sign, an agreed order affecting the child.
- Have access to the child in the child’s placement.
- Provide comments and act as a consultant on decisions regarding child placement.
The attorneys at Christman | Daniell Attorneys have a unique and refreshing approach to the often turbulent and emotionally stressful disputes arising in the context of divorce, child custody, and other family law cases. Our firm anchors its representation and legal advice in principles and philosophies that focus on the long-term best interests of children and families.
We offer services ranging from mediation and child custody to client advocacy in a divorce action. Some cases require aggressive advocacy, while others require patience, de-escalation, and diplomatic solutions. Especially when children are involved, we help the client develop and execute the best strategies to avoid leaving a wake of destruction, the brunt of which falls largely on the innocent and impressionable children of divorce.
Please call Christman | Daniell for your legal needs today!
Looking for family law services in Collin County, Texas? Christman | Daniell is your premier choice. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the legal landscape, our skilled team is dedicated to helping families navigate complex legal matters. Whether it’s divorce, child custody, or adoption, trust Christman | Daniell to provide compassionate and effective representation for all your family law needs throughout Collin County.
Please consult an attorney for advice about your individual situation. The material on this website and in this or any blog article we publish are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. The attorneys at Christman | Daniell believe in tailoring legal advice and solutions to your own personal circumstances.
We have an unwavering commitment to helping our clients at each stage of their legal situation.