Source: http://www.childrenslegalrightsjournal.com/childrenslegalrightsjournal/volume_37_issue_1?pg=89
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 20:07:48+00:00

Document:
84 Children’s Legal Rights Journal [Vol. 37: 1 2017] the attorneys performing these roles are often asked to perform both reporting duties as agents of the court and advocacy duties on behalf of the child.
14 See, e.g., ABA Standard, supra note 3, at III.B (recommending that attorneys for the child not make recommendations, file a report or testify in court). 15 See Pace v. Pace, 22 P.3d 861, 868-70 (Wyo. 2001) (guardian ad litem who was licensed attorney impermissibly presented custody recommendation to court in form of sworn testimony and trial court erred in admitting testimony) (” . . . guardians ad litem must take the necessary steps to assure sufficient evidence is presented at trial either by introducing the evidence themselves or assuring counsel for one or both parents are prepared to do so. Finally, guardians ad litem should present their recommendations to the court in the form of closing argument and not through personal testimony.”). 16 See, e.g., Linda D. Elrod, Raising the Bar for Lawyers Who Represent Children: ABA Standards of Practice for Custody Cases, 37 FAM. L. Q. 105, 116-18 (2003). 17 Id. 18 See Emily Gleiss, The Due Process Rights of Parents to Cross-Examine Guardians Ad Litem in Custody Disputes: The Reality and the Ideal, 94 MINN. L. REV. 2103, 2104 (2010). 19 MASS. GEN. ANN. LAWS ch. 215, § 56A (West, Westlaw through 2016 Legis. Sess.) (“Said guardian ad litem shall, before final judgment or decree in such proceeding, report in writing to the court the results of the investigation, and such report shall be open to inspection to all the parties in such proceeding or their attorneys.”). 20 See WIS. STAT. ANN. § 767.407 (West 2016) (defining the appointment and responsibilities of a guardian ad litem); Hollister v. Hollister, 496 N.W.2d 642, 644-45 (Wis. Ct. App. 1992) (parent not entitled to cross examine guardian ad litem); See also Gilmore v. Gilmore, 341 N.E.2d 655, 659 (Mass. 1976) (the right to cross-examine a guardian ad litem in a custody proceeding is guaranteed regardless of whether the parties consent to the investigation). 21 UNIF. MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE ACT § 402, 9A U.L.A. 561 (1987) (“The court shall determine custody in accordance with the best interest of the child. . . [and shall consider] all relevant factors, including the parents' wishes, the child's wishes, the child's relationships with the significant people in his life, the child's “adjustment to his home, school, and community,” and “the mental and physical health of all individuals involved.”).

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