A Guardian Ad Litem is a lawyer appointed by the court to represent a child or children. The Guardian Ad Litem does not represent the parents. The court is required to appoint a Guardian Ad Litem in child custody cases where allegations of child abuse have been made. Child abuse can include emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. There are many different types of neglect, including, but not limited to, medical neglect, nutritional neglect, and simply failing to care for a child. A Guardian Ad Litem can be appointed in a variety of cases including child custody, divorce, paternity, guardianship, and juvenile cases.
Where allegations of child abuse or neglect have been made, the job of the Guardian Ad Litem is to investigate those allegations. The investigation can involve speaking with the child or children, speaking with the parents, teachers, doctors, and any other person who may have knowledge about the alleged abuse or neglect of the child. A Guardian Ad Litem may obtain records. In many cases, the Guardian Ad Litem will report to the court about his or her investigation. The Guardian Ad Litem may report about the wishes of the child and what the Guardian Ad Litem believes to be in the best interest of a child.
The Guardian Ad Litem does not represent the parents. Anything that parents tell a Guardian Ad Litem can be shared with the other parent and his or her lawyer. The Guardian Ad Litem can also share with the court. The Guardian Ad Litem has no duty to maintain the confidentiality of any information provided by the parents. The Guardian Ad Litem is not an advocate for the parents. Consequently, a parent will want his or her own attorney whether the case involves child custody, divorce, paternity, guardianship, and juvenile cases.
For more information, contact Scott Hamblin. Scott Hamblin is an experienced trial attorney having tried numerous cases involving allegations of child abuse and neglect.
A Jefferson City man faced DUI charges following a field sobriety test. Charges against the defendant were dropped after Scott successfully maintained the client’s claims that the test results were inaccurate. While the client initially appeared to be in a difficult situation, Scott was able to push investigators to determine the sobriety test results as invalid, so the charges were dismissed.
A mother was seeking sole custody of her children following a divorce. The father refused to cooperate, leaving the client in a difficult situation as she felt as though her children didn’t have a voice. Scott recognized her need for an advocate and carefully listened to the children’s wishes, which conclusively helped the client achieve sole custody of her children and protected their best interests.
A client from Fulton was accused of drug possession as a result of a home search. While drug charges may potentially be filed as a Class C felony involving severe consequences, Scott was able to help the client receive a reduced sentence. Ultimately, the client faced significantly smaller penalties compared to the initial charges.
Scott assisted a defendant in a particularly challenging divorce case in which the other spouse was not cooperating. Scott was able to help the client avoid court through an aggressive legal approach to resolve all outstanding disagreements while maintaining the client’s long-term needs.
One client sought legal assistance after an altercation with another individual in Jefferson City. The client was arrested on assault charges despite allegedly not starting the fight. Since an arrest can lead to life-altering penalties such as being terminated from employment and serving jail time, Scott was able to build a solid legal defense in the client’s favor and argued in favor of the client’s innocence.
A grandparent sought visitation rights to his grandchild after the parent tried to block him. Scott takes grandparents’ rights very seriously, and so he devised a strategy to help the grandparent set a visitation schedule. Scott developed a strategy to show that the child’s best interests were fulfilled through the grandparent’s ability to visit the child, helping push the case towards a resolution in the client’s favor.
Scott assisted a client who was injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence. The defendant claimed that the opposing party using their phone at the time of the crash, and Scott emphasized this claim to show that the other driver was at fault for the client’s injuries. The case concluded with the client receiving the necessary compensation for medical bills following a long hospital stay due to injuries.
My husband and I hired Mr Hamblin for a criminal matter that happen to me by accident I had some issues that happen and I have never been in any trouble. However I did some research on criminal defense attorneys and Mr. Hamblin named appeared. I did some research on him and found that he use to be a prosecuting attorney. Any way making a long story short we hired Mr . Hamblin for my defense lawyer,he did not judge me for what had happened, he provided me with straight foward answers and he knew the law very well I…
I'm not sure where the one star review came from, but Scott is a wonderful attorney! He did such a great job, didn't rush me in my consultation and helped me win my case! Thanks again Scott!
Helped my family with a variety of issues!
Scott Hamblin represented my company in a civil litigation. He was incredibly responsive and knowledgeable. His incredible passion to do the very best for his clients was not only apparent it was effective when we were able to gain the results we were looking for. I highly recommend Scott Hamblin for your legal needs.
My husband and I have used Scott as our lawyer for adoption , he was very professional as well as caring in the case. He also helped us with our personal Wills, Durable Power of Attorney, and our Health Directives. He is very thorough and explains everything step by step, and answers any questions you may have to make you feel 100% secure. We would use Scott for all and any matters requiring a lawyer. Thank you Scott, you are a top notch lawyer.
Scott did an excellent job. He was available as needed and always listened. He responded quickly to e-mails or phone calls. He didn't just "tell me what to do." Instead, he listened to my input and helped me make informed decisions. I always felt as though he had time for me as a client.
Scott is very compassionate but honest man. I have known Scott for 10+ years. I met him while fostering children with Cole County Childrens Division. When he became the adoption lawyer for Cole Couuty Childrens Division in 2007 my husband and I was one of the first to use him to become adoptive parents to our then two year old foster son. Our son just turned 13 years old this year. In 2013, he represented my husband and I to get guardianship for our foster daughter. We are beyond blessed to have such a great guy like Scott to represent…
Exceptional to work with, easy to talk to and extremely efficient. We have used Scott on two major issues now and have walked away both times more than satisfied. If someone has a significant legal issue pressing, Scott Hamblin, without question is who they need representing them.
I have used Scott Hamblin as my attorney for several different issues. He did a great job. Should you need a lawyer, Scott is an excellent choice.
For accessible and experienced representation, contact attorney Scott Hamblin today.
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