Source: http://www.childrenslegalrightsjournal.com/childrenslegalrightsjournal/volume_37_issue_1?pg=96
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 21:09:59+00:00

Document:
The case arose in a Northern Kentucky family court. 71 The parties had two daughters born to the marriage. 72 At the time of the divorce, the mother was granted custody and the father was services ordered for the child or child’s family are being provided in a timely manner; A GAL must continue to represent the child as long as the appointing authority retains jurisdiction over the child; Consistent with the rules of Professional Responsibility, a GAL should identify the common interests among the parties and, if possible, promote a cooperative resolution to the matter; A GAL should submit an oral or written report to the court as ordered; and a GAL should advocate for the child’s best interests, but advise the court when the child disagrees with the attorney’s assessment of the case.).
66 Confidentiality of Information, Ky. Sup. Ct. R. 3. 130( 1. 6)(a) (“A lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client.”); Ky. Sup. Ct. R. 3. 130( 3. 7)(a) (“A lawyer shall not act as advocate at a trial where the lawyer is likely to be a necessary witness.”).
67 KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 403.090( 4) (West, Westlaw through Ch. 7, 12, 13 of the 2017 Reg. Sess.) (“[T]he Friend of Court . . . shall make such investigation as will enable the Friend of Court to ascertain the facts and circumstances that will affect the rights and interests of the children.”); KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 403.300 (West, Westlaw through Ch. 7, 12, 13 of the 2017 Reg. Sess.) (court investigator investigates and makes recommendations concerning custodial arrangements for the child; report may be received into evidence and the investigator may be called as a witness); KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 403.290 (West, Westlaw through Ch. 7, 12, 13 of the 2017 Reg. Sess.) (court may appoint a professional advisor to the court for diagnosis or professional evaluation); FCRPP 6 (Opinions sought in family matters may include custody evaluations, psychological evaluations, or “such other . . . opinions or advice which the court deems appropriate.”).
68 KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 403.300( 2) (West, Westlaw through Ch. 7, 12, 13 of the 2017 Reg. Sess.) (“In preparing his report concerning a child, the investigator may consult any person who may have information about the child and his potential custodial arrangements. Upon order of the court, the investigator may refer the child to professional personnel for diagnosis. The investigator may consult with and obtain information from medical, psychiatric, or other expert persons who have served the child in the past without obtaining the consent of the parent or the child’s custodian; but the child’s consent must be obtained if he has reached the age of 16, unless the court finds that he lacks mental capacity to consent.”).
69 Morgan, 441 S. W.3d at 97; See, e.g., S.G. v. D.C., 13 So.3d 269, 282 (Miss. 2009) (court may not appoint a GAL to serve in the dual role of lawyer for the child and advisor to the court).
70 Morgan v. Getter, No. 2012-CA-000655-ME, slip. op. at 6 (Ky. Ct. App. Feb. 23, 2013), rev’d., Morgan v. Getter, 441 S. W.3d 94 (2014).

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