What does a Guardian ad Litem do in Florida?
At certain times during divorce or custody proceedings, a court will appoint someone called a Guardian ad Litem to protect the interests of the child in question. While family law courts use the term “best interests of the child” for a number of things, this person is supposed to advocate to ensure the best interest of the child are in fact being met by any decisions made in court. This can include meetings or other forms of information sharing with doctors, parents, teachers, court personnel, and other parties that know the child. Parents will also request the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem during certain cases where a child needs an additional person to assist them.
How does this program work?
According to the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation, thousands of volunteers have advocated on behalf of over two hundred thousand children in the state in the past few decades. Some of the work that these people do is subsidized by donations and grants through strong relationships with various organizations, along with their own unpaid volunteer hours. People who want to become guardians will receive specialized training to understand court procedures and other issues such as foster care and state custody through the Department of Children and Families that will become important as they attempt to advocate on behalf of their young clients. There are also ethical standards and bylaws that must be observed by anyone who wishes to participate in this program and remain compliant with their procedures.
Sometimes, even family law attorneys are appointed as a guardian in a case where they have no conflicting interests. This is convenient because lawyers who work in the family courts will usually have most or all of the relevant experience and training necessary. Basically everyone who participates in this program has been through a process that includes the dedication of lots of time and effort.
Should you have a lawyer even when a guardian is appointed?
Even though the guardian is technically supposed to have the child’s interests in mind, as someone taking part in a hearing to determine issues like child support or custody, it is still important to have your own interests represented by an experienced family law attorney. Usually, a proceeding that involves a guardian will have auxiliary issues that require legal advocacy and expertise. Your lawyer will usually work with the courts, other attorneys, a guardian ad litem, and whoever else may be involved to help you achieve the best result.
Remember that family court procedures are not always easy to understand, and it is important to have a seasoned legal professional help you navigate the process. If the opposing party is represented and you are not, this normally leads to a very unfavorable result.
Talk to a local family attorney in central Florida
To get help with any guardianship or custody issues in the Orlando area, contact The Aikin Family Law Group. The lawyers at Aikin can speak to you about any family law issues such as child support and custody, divorces, and prenuptial agreements.
