A Judge’s Guide

APPENDIX A
IN THE _____________________COURT OF___________________________
_______________________
Petitioner,
v. Case No. _____________
_______________________
Respondent.
In Re: _____________________________________, D.O.B. __________
CHILD REPRESENTATION APPOINTMENT ORDER
I. REASONS FOR APPOINTMENT
This case came on this _____________, 20____, and it appearing to the Court that
appointing a Child’s Attorney or Best Interests Attorney is necessary to help the Court
decide the case properly, because of the following factors or allegations:
A. Mandatory appointment grounds:
(_) The Court is considering child abuse or neglect allegations that warrant state
intervention.
(_) Appointment is mandated by state law.
B. Discretionary grounds warranting appointment:
(_) Consideration of extraordinary remedies such as supervised visitation, terminating
or suspending visitation with a parent, or awarding custody or visitation to a nonparent
(_) Relocation that could substantially reduce of the child’s time with a parent or sibling
(_) The child’s concerns or views
(_) Harm to the child from illegal or excessive drug or alcohol abuse by a child or a
party
(_) Disputed paternity
(_) Past or present child abduction, or risk of future abduction
(_) Past or present family violence
(_) Past or present mental health problems of the child or a party
(_) Special physical, educational, or mental health needs requiring investigation or
advocacy
(_) A high level of acrimony
(_) Inappropriate adult influence or manipulation
(_) Interference with custody or parenting time
(_) A need for more evidence relevant to the best interests of the child
(_) A need to minimize the harm to the child from family separation and litigation
(_) Specific issue(s) to be addressed: __________________________________________
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