Family law and custody cases do not always run smoothly. As you can imagine, there are a lot of emotions that come with legal matters like these. In some cases, especially where two sides are far apart, the court will appoint a special advisor to your family law case. The goal of the advisor is to hear everyone out and find a common ground to build agreements on, beginning with agreeing on what’s best for the children.
Custody disputes that require a family law attorney in Maricopa County, Arizona, may also require the assistance of a court-appointed advisor. These advisors can work with the attorneys for both sides as well as each individual to help mediate the process and help reach an agreement for the courts.
What Is A Court-Appointed Advisor?
A court appointed advisor is able to assist the court with family law disputes, including child custody decisions. Typically, the families are responsible for the cost of the CAA. The courts can have the families split the costs evenly or assign them to one individual. 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 with child abuse or neglect. If the courts feel that the child’s well-being is in question, they will appoint a CAA to look deeper into the matter and see what kind of care the children are getting. Their decision and opinion matter greatly in the courts and need to be taken seriously.
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 will also spend time observing family interactions, seeing if the parents are using patience and the best methods best for the child’s needs.
The time spent working with a CAA can be a bit hectic but their goal is to gather information of what typically happens on a normal day. That’s where they get an idea of who is caring best for the child and how. They also will review some of your records including medical and psychological evaluations as well as school reports.
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 consideration. 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