An Independent Children’s Lawyer is a lawyer who helps the court decide what is in the best interests of your children.
They come up with their own position about what is in the best interests of your children and don’t have to agree with either parent’s position.
They are required to talk to your children (unless it is not appropriate) and will gather evidence to give the court. For example, from your children’s school or doctor.
It is very important that you take your children to meet the Independent Children’s Lawyer when asked. This is arranged by appointment and parents do not sit in when the lawyer is speaking to children.
Children don’t usually give evidence at court.
You can get legal adviceACTNSWNTQldSATasVicWA about Independent Children’s Lawyers.
====================== Collapse Start Here. Do not Edit Here ========================
Independent Children’s Lawyers are not used in all cases.
An Independent Children’s Lawyer may be used if there are serious allegations of child abuse, neglect, family violence, mental health issues or other complicated issues in your case.
They can also be used if your children are older and have strong views about what they want.
====================== Collapse Ends Here. Do not Edit Here ========================
====================== Collapse Start Here. Do not Edit Here ========================
If your children have strong views about what they want, the Independent Children’s Lawyer may tell the court what their views are, but they don’t have to agree with them.
They don’t have to do what your children ask. The Independent Children’s Lawyer makes their own decision and tells the court what they consider to be in the best interests of your children based on the evidence in your case.
====================== Collapse Ends Here. Do not Edit Here ========================
====================== Collapse Start Here. Do not Edit Here ========================
The Independent Children’s Lawyer may be paid for by the parents or Legal Aid.
Sometimes, each parent will be asked to pay a financial contribution towards some of the costs of the Independent Children’s Lawyer. It will depend on the financial situation of each parent. For more information on Independent Children’s Lawyers, see resources.
====================== Collapse Ends Here. Do not Edit Here ========================
====================== Collapse Ends Here. Do not Edit Here ========================
====================== Collapse Start Here. Do not Edit Here ========================
- Best for Kids – Video on Independent Children’s Lawyers – available with subtitles including in Arabic, Chinese and Vietnamese
- Family Court of Australia – Independent Children’s Lawyer
- Independent Children’s Lawyers – What is an Independent Children’s Lawyer?
====================== Collapse Start Here. Do not Edit Here ========================
- Family Court of Western Australia – Independent Children’s Lawyers
====================== Collapse Ends Here. Do not Edit Here ========================
====================== Collapse Ends Here. Do not Edit Here ========================
call 