Counsel for the Child in Custody Disputes: The Time is Now

Although only two states presently require appointment of a person, e.g., a guardian ad litem, to represent the interests of a child in a custody dispute,1 nationally the trend inches toward requiring that independent counsel be appointed for a child whenever custody is contested.2 If the law continues to focus on children's rights, and child advocacy groups continue to seek judicial reform for the benefit of children, within the next decade an attorney who represents a parent disputing custody may be working with (or against) an attorney for the minor child from the onset of the custody dispute.3 For over twenty-five years, observers and participants in the judicial process have discussed the need for representation of children involved in custody disputes.4 Only within the past few years, however, has a