The Family Advocate serves as a pivotal resource for resolving disputes related to the best interests of children and parental responsibilities and rights. This professional aims to safeguard and promote the well-being of minor or dependent children during legal disputes.
Role of the Family Advocate
The Family Advocate plays a crucial role in helping parties find common ground regarding custody, access, and guardianship issues. If an agreement cannot be reached, they assess the circumstances of the involved parties with a focus on the child’s best interests, offering recommendations to the Court.
How the Family Advocate Operates
Upon application, the Family Advocate initiates an inquiry, engaging both parties to understand their backgrounds and circumstances. They also interview children, sparing them from courtroom testimony. Here are key points to note about the Family Advocate:
- Cannot intervene in finalized court matters.
- Neutral institution, offering recommendations to assist court decisions.
- Recommendations are not enforceable unless included in a Court Order.
- Cannot act as legal representatives for either party.
Solving Disputes: Step-by-Step Guide
- Initial Interviews: Parties interviewed to understand their perspectives and backgrounds.
- Child Involvement: Interviews with children, safeguarding them from harsh court environments.
- Mediation and Agreement: Aims to find agreeable solutions, creating parenting plans if agreement reached.
- Court Report: If no agreement, the Family Advocate compiles a report with recommendations.
Consulting the Family Advocate
Parties can consult the Family Advocate for disputes on child care, drafting agreements, amendments, and parental rights. Visit the Advocate for disputes related to unmarried fathers’ rights, pending divorces involving children, and more.
Assistance Provided by the Family Advocate
- Mediation of parental disputes.
- Registration of parenting plans at no cost.
- Provision of qualified professionals for child-focused mediation.
- Recommendations and reports to assist court decisions.
- Conducting investigations for determining the child’s best interest.
Fees and Services
The Family Advocate provides services to the public free of charge. However, parties may incur costs for expert reports critical to determining the child’s best interests.
Parental Responsibilities and Rights
These include the care, contact, guardianship, and maintenance of the child. Parents can create agreements registered with the Family Advocate or made a court order.
The Family Advocate stands as a neutral party, offering expertise and support in resolving disputes concerning parental responsibilities and children’s best interests. Their role significantly contributes to fostering agreeable resolutions for all parties involved.