The Child Advocate Law Firm, PLLC is dedicated to providing compassionate, effective, and highly skilled representation to children as Guardian ad litem.
Put simply, a Guardian Ad Litem is an attorney appointed by the Court to represent a child’s best interests. Judges are routinely required to make critical decisions related to children such as when and how long a child will be removed from their home, who is allowed access to a child, and what custodial schedule will be put in place for a child. The decisions made in Court every day have a lifetime of consequences for the children involved. The Child Advocate Law Firm is committed to giving children a voice and being part of the solution to restore hope and dreams in children who find themselves in the middle of a court dispute.
The Court is required to appoint a Guardian Ad Litem in foster care cases. Children who are in foster care have gone through the trauma of being removed from a parent’s care because of alleged abuse or neglect. The child must then adjust to a new life in foster care while the child’s parents and social services are pursuing reunification efforts. The child must heal from the past and face an unknown future. Children in foster care are some of the most vulnerable children in our society.
The Court has discretion as to whether to appoint a Guardian Ad Litem in cases involving custody and visitation. Children who are the subject of highly contested custody and visitation cases are also vulnerable, as the Court is required to make decisions that will have long-term implications for the child’s life. If neither party has an attorney and there are allegations of abuse it is more likely that a Guardian Ad Litem will be appointed. Even when attorneys represent both parties, it is not always the case that the child has a voice in the proceeding since parents can become blind to what is in the child’s best interest when they are fighting for their own rights. Having an independent investigation of the facts and recommendations made by a Guardian Ad Litem always serves the best interest of the child.
Children deserve to have an attorney who will develop a relationship with them, fight for their best interest, and give them a voice. The Child Advocate Law Firm, PLLC can be counted on to follow Rule 8:6 of the Rules of the Virginia Supreme Court which states that the role of the Guardian Ad Litem for children is to “vigorously represent the child, fully protecting the child’s interest and welfare.”
*Please note that The Child Advocate Law Firm, PLLC cannot be privately retained to represent a child without a Court Order. Guardians Ad Litem must be appointed by the Court.