Attorneys Representing Children in Oak Brook, Illinois

Skilled Lawyers Serving as Guardians Ad Litem in DuPage County, IL

Illinois law gives children a very strong voice in custody (parental responsibilities) and visitation (parenting time) proceedings. For example, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act contains one of the broadest child interview laws in the country. Judges may speak with children of any age at almost any time for almost any reason. Furthermore, in complex or contested divorce cases, most judges do not hesitate to appoint an independent advocate for children. This advocate is typically a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL), though the advocate may serve in other capacities as well.

Attorney Don Pesce is fully qualified to serve as a Guardian Ad Litem in DuPage County. More importantly, he has a well-deserved reputation as an attorney who is always prepared and always serves as a zealous advocate for his clients, whatever their age or status. This experience gives him a unique insight into complex custody matters. Our firm can guide you through complex custody cases involving young children or high conflict with your co-parent.

What Qualifications Do Guardians ad Litem Need?

According to Supreme Court rules, a GAL must complete at least 10 hours of specialized training prior to certification. Subsequently, ongoing continuing education requirements must be met annually. The subjects must include targeted areas, such as family dynamics, child development, ethical issues, and substance abuse.

Over the years, GALs have collectively developed proven methods in their chosen field, and each attorney has complete and full access to this body of knowledge. In a nutshell, GALs possess an additional skill set that some other area family law attorneys may be lacking.

What Are the Different Types of GALs?

Though they have different roles, each type of professional has a common goal: the best interests of the children in a given situation.

• Guardian Ad Litem: This category is not only an umbrella term. It also has specific meaning. The GAL has broad investigative powers in a family law case. After this investigation, they file a report with the Court. They may also file active pleadings in a case.
• Attorney for the Child: Judges sometimes appoint independent counsel for older children. Attorneys for the child are strong advocates for their clients throughout the entire process.
• Child Representative: Many times, a case may require a hybrid between a GAL and Attorney for the Child, and a Child Representative can fulfill both roles. These attorneys have the investigative powers of a GAL and the advocacy abilities of an Attorney for the Child.

Most courts routinely appoint a GAL if there are abuse allegations, dishonesty allegations between the spouses, or if the children are quite young. Typically, the role of a GAL is to make a recommendation to a judge after a thorough investigation into a child's circumstances.

What Should I Do if a Guardian ad Litem Visits My Home?

When a GAL is appointed to handle your child custody case, the GAL may come by your house to conduct interviews and make notes about the child's home environment. While this can be nerve-wracking, ultimately, the best thing you can do is to be honest and forthright. Remember, the GAL serves as the eyes and ears of the court, so if you make a negative impression, it may affect the final child custody ruling.

Contact an Oak Brook Family Law Attorney Today

A qualified Guardian Ad Litem gives children a strong voice in family law matters. For skilled representation in your divorce by an attorney experienced in advocating for children's best interests, contact Pesce Law Group, P.C. at 630-352-2240 for a free consultation with an Oak Brook child's representative. We serve families throughout DuPage County and neighboring jurisdictions.