Once minor’s counsel is appointed, what happens?
The court will notify Minor’s Counsel that they have been appointed to represent the child/children. At this point Minor’s Counsel will mail each party a letter and in cases where the parties are ordered to pay minor’s counsel fees, a retainer will be requested and need to be paid before work will begin on the case. Minor’s Counsel should then contact the primary custodial parent and make an appointment with minor to meet with Counsel. This meeting may be at the home of parent and Counsel may want to interview parent without minor present. After interviewing the child, counsel will investigate any relevant problems before the court hearing. At the court hearing, the attorney will discuss the findings with the parties and their attorneys as well as the Judge. If a written statement of issues and contentions was required, this will be filed with the court before the hearing date. The minor’s counsel will be on the case until the court determines they no longer needed or the lawyer reques
