When there are minor children in a divorce, cases can quickly go sideways. If either parent has substance abuse or mental health issues, the court may appoint a special advisor to the family law case, called a Court Appointed Advisor or “CAA.” The goal of the advisor is to assist the court in making parenting time and legal decision-making decisions for the parties.
Sometimes, parents get into a “he said, she said,” and the CAA interviews the parties, children, therapists, other family members, or anyone closely associated with the family who can provide relevant and helpful information. If there are allegations of domestic violence, the CAA will review police reports, and Orders of Protection. If there are behavioral issues with a child, the CAA may review school attendance records and grades and speak to teachers or school administrators.
Custody disputes that require a family law attorney in Maricopa County, Arizona, may also require the assistance of a court-appointed advisor. These advisors work with the attorneys for both sides and gather information to enable the judge to make the best decision for the children.
What Is A Court-Appointed Advisor?
A court appointed advisor is typically a master’s level social worker or licensed counselor who gives the judge a fair and neutral but realistic assessment of the children’s current environment. Typically, the families are responsible for the cost of the CAA. The courts can have the families split the costs evenly or assign one party to pay a greater portion. The CAA will interview the children involved in the case to help minimize the time the children need to spend in the courtroom.
A common example of why a CAA may be appointed is to address child abuse or neglect. If the court believes that a child’s well-being may be in danger, they may appoint a CAA to investigate the matter and report back to the court. The CAA’s report and recommendation play a significant part to the judge’s decision, so it’s imperative that you are honest, candid, and provide documentation when requested.
Working With a CAA
The court-appointed advisor is going to conduct thorough investigations which includes interviews with parents, children and any other individuals who may be relevant to the matter including family friends, therapists and teachers. They may spend time observing family interactions.
CAA’s Offer Strong Recommendations
Working with these professionals is important, especially because they are expected to testify in court and their testimony is given great weight. The CAA’s are unbiased and try to minimize their involvement beyond the interviews. However, they still need to do a thorough job in order to provide the courts with their recommendation.
Work With A Family Law Attorney
While the court-appointed advisor is a valuable and reliable resource for the courts, it is something you need to be prepared for. Having a family law attorney on your side to assist you through all legal matters involving your separation and custody battle is key if you want to have the best possible outcome. Call for your free consultation and learn more about the guidance a family law lawyer can offer you.