Speaking For Children In Court

A Guardian ad litem and a Child’s Representative have the same objective in their role in a family law case: providing the court with information that helps it protect the best interests of children. The Child’s Representative and Guardian ad litem, however, have differing functions. A Guardian ad litem, serves as a witness who reports information to the court that the court uses to protect children. The Child’s Representative serves the court as an attorney who advocates for the best interests of minor children. A Child’s Representative offers evidence-based legal arguments to support their recommendations as to what is in the child’s best interests. As opposed to regularly appointed attorneys who must follow the wishes of their clients, child representatives may go against the wishes of the children they are “representing” if they believe it to be in their best interests.