Will County Child Representation Attorneys

Reliable Legal Counsel for Family Law Matters in Joliet, Plainfield, and Naperville

The attorneys at the Davi Law Group have served as court-appointed representatives for children in a variety of family law proceedings related to child custody, visitation, and parentage. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act authorizes a court to appoint such a representative in any matter related to the well-being of a child. In that capacity, the appointed attorney is generally expected to investigate the situation and advocate for the best interests of the child or to provide responsible legal representation for the child. Our attorneys have experience serving in several different capacities on behalf of children, including the three types available under Illinois law: the guardian ad litem (GAL), the child’s representative, and attorney for the child.

Guardian ad Litem

A guardian ad litem (GAL), is a qualified attorney appointed as an extension of the court. The GAL is tasked with investigating the matter at hand and providing a recommendation to the court regarding the child’s best interests. Using a combination of observation, records reviews, and interviews, the GAL will determine what he or she believes to be the best outcome for the child. The guardian ad litem will then present his or her findings to the court, along with the recommended course of action.

Having served as GALs, the attorneys at the Davi Law Group fully understand the importance of the role. We work diligently to examine all available details regarding the child’s situation and to provide a comprehensive report to the court.

Child’s Representative

Similar to a guardian ad litem, a child’s representative is granted the authority to investigate the child’s situation in during a custody, visitation, parentage, or adoption proceeding. However, unlike a GAL, the child’s representative does not formulate a recommendation as an extension of the court. Instead, he or she becomes a party to the case acting not on behalf of the child directly, but on behalf of the child’s best interests as determined by the results of the investigation.

The child’s representative may take into account the wishes of the child but is not obligated to advocate for the child’s stated position. In this role, the appointed attorney does not advocate for one party or another, but for the well-being of the child, encouraging negotiation and positive resolution. Our attorneys possess the necessary training and equivalent experience to serve as child’s representatives and have done so on a number of occasions.

Attorney for the Child

In some situations, the court may appoint an attorney for the child, who is expected to represent the child in the same manner as he or she would represent an adult. As an attorney for a child, the appointed lawyer advocates the child’s position and is bound by the same standards of ethics, rules of conduct, and confidentiality as any other attorney-client relationship.

While three roles may seem very similar, each is designed to address a particular need or set of circumstances. The court’s appointment will often depend on the nature of the case and the child’s age and maturity level.

If you have questions about child representation or would like to request our services for your case, contact the Davi Law Group today at 815-582-4901. We offer a no-charge consultation so that you can meet with us to discuss your situation, an approximate value of $325.00. Should you retain us as your counsel, financing options are available. With five locations throughout the region, we are proud to serve clients in Will County and the surrounding areas.