Matters involving children are among the most significant that a family law attorney will face. This handbook acts as a guide to help attorneys navigate those issues while also protecting abused, neglected, and dependent children. Topics covered include children’s rights to medical and mental health treatment, rights and responsibilities related to child representation, child protection mediation, pretrial and trial issues, and the termination of parental rights. Forms, sample language, and checklists are also included to assist the attorney with these matters, including sample permanency planning questions, a sample memorandum of agreement, and a mental health checklist.
Chapter 1 — Minors’ Rights to Medical and Mental Health Treatment
Alyana J. Abellar, Blacha Law Office LLC, Naperville
Chapter 2 — Representing Children: Rights and Responsibilities
Janet LaDonna Barnes, Danielle Renee Gomez, and Alpa Jayanti Patel, Office of theCook County Public Guardian, Chicago
Chapter 3 — Child Protection Mediation
Sarah Coffman, Brian Finley, and Jeffrey Sterbenc, Office of theCook County Public Guardian, Chicago
Chapter 4 —Pretrial Issues
Stephen M. Dore, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and Rachel M. Koch, Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender, Chicago
Chapter 5 — Trials
Nrupa A. Patel, Bolen, Robinson & Ellis, LLP, Decatur
Chapter 6 — Dispositions and Permanency
Bruce A. Boyer, Loyola Childlaw Clinic, Emma McMullen, Legal Aid Chicago,and Anita M. Weinberg, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago
Chapter 7 — Termination of Parental Rights
Nrupa A. Patel, Bolen, Robinson & Ellis, LLP, Decatur
