Representing Children in Dependency and Family Court

Book excerpt: Representing Children in Dependency and Family Court: Beyond the Law is a unique family law resource that focuses on the real-world issues that are central for working with child clients in dependency and family court settings. The authors - a board-certified psychologist who has worked with children since the mid-1980s, and an attorney who almost exclusively represents children in dependency court matters - recognize that professionals who represent children in these settings must understand all aspects of the case: the children themselves, the system in which they are engaged, the services available to them, the schools they attend, their ethnic and cultural issues, their special needs, the legal issues they face outside of family and juvenile courts, and more. In addition, lawyers need to take into account the diverse issues faced by the parents with whom they live. While some children's representatives work exclusively in this area and want to delve more deeply into the issues of family dynamics examined in this book, this is also a useful resource for those who work with children's cases less frequently or are just beginning in the area and have had limited or no exposure to these issues. This clearly written and logical guide is an informed resource accessible to professionals at any level of experience. Authors Rebecca M. Stahl, JD, LLM, and Philip M. Stahl, Ph.D., bring their extensive knowledge and practical experience to discuss in depth these issues as more: - Conceptual approaches to the role of the children's representative, and well as intriguing thoughts about how this can evolve in the future- Explanations of the critical psychological issues involved, including trauma, child development, domestic violence, high-conflict separation and divorce, alienated or resistant children, and other special circumstances- Consideration of the professional responsibilities raised in these cases, including ethical issues in representing children, risks of bias in the work, and recognizing the emotional, physical, and professional toll involved