Creve Coeur & O'Fallon, MO Children’s Rights Attorneys

In the family law context, this might seem strange. After all, children are minors and must do whatever their parents say, right?

Actually, no. Once children reach an age of sufficient maturity to express their preferences, courts by statute must give weight to these preferences. Courts often want to hear from children their view of possible resolutions to a custody matter, and sometimes even appoint an attorney, called a guardian ad litem, to represent their interests. 

In cases involving allegations of abuse or neglect, courts must appoint a guardian ad litem for the child. Parents often forget that custody is to be determined by what is in the best interests of the child, not the particular wishes of the parents.

Children have rights in other family law-related contexts. For example, a child may wish to change his or her name. Or a child may face truancy or criminal charge in juvenile court. In these situations, children have rights to protect and assert, rights only an experienced family law attorney can adequately present to a court.

At The Marks Law Firm, L.L.C., we have many years of experience representing children’s rights in family court and juvenile court, including acting as a guardian ad litem.
We represent children and their interests in a variety of legal matters, including:

• Divorce
• Legal Separation
• Child Custody
• Paternity
• Custodial Parent Relocation
• Orders of Protection
• International Child Abduction
• Stepparent Adoption
• Juvenile Court Actions