Attorney for the Child
Whether a child is represented by an attorney often depends on the type of case involved. In juvenile court, when abuse and neglect have been alleged, attorneys for children may be routinely appointed by the court, regardless of the child's age. By contrast, in family law matters, parents and judges often try to isolate and protect children from involvement in court proceedings. Sometimes, however, a child's voice needs to be heard. When that situation arises, appointing an attorney for the child may be an option.Attorneys for children approach their work in different ways, depending on the type of case and the ability of the child to communicate their goals and objectives. Some attorneys proceed under the traditional attorney-client model, also called the "expressed wishes" approach. In those situations, the attorney provides independent legal representation of the child, representing the child's express wishes and giving the child a strong voice in the proceedings. At other times the "best interests" model may be used. Under that approach, an attorney independently investigates, assesses and advocates for the child's best interests.
Gevurtz Menashe has lawyers who are highly experienced in representing children in both family law cases and juvenile court, regardless of which approach is used.
