The Best Interest Attorney

We're called different things in different jurisdictions.  Some call us Guardian ad Litem, some just use the generic Child's Attorney.  We're all appointed by the court, almost always in high conflict child custody cases.  What do we do?  We investigate the circumstances surrounding a child's life, by reviewing educational, medical, and religious records, by interviewing friends and family, by talking to our client and discussing the good, the bad, the ugly, and the just plain stupid things their parents do.  You think your children don't notice, but they do.  In a lot of ways, children are the most perceptive members of the family.  I love working with them, because no matter their ages, they're thrilled to tell someone their story, thrilled that someone is listening to them, thrilled that someone else takes the pressure off them and can point out to their parents the things they can't.  They're hungry to be asked what they think and to have someone really try to understand and address their needs.  Even when I don't agree with them, we discuss it - I haven't met a child yet who isn't a great collaborator.  Few of their case are easy - if they were, they wouldn't need a best interest attorney.  Their cases are challenging and require difficult decisions, but they're rewarding.  Now if only their parents would pay the bill.....