Guarding the best interests of children.

Christine L. Derr has devoted a portion of her practice to Guardian ad Litem services since 2011. She has served as a private Guardian ad Litem in numerous custody and domestic violence cases, investigating the facts as directed by the Court and presenting a recommendation to the Court on behalf of the minor child(ren). 

The role of a Guardian ad Litem is to meet with the parties, child(ren) and collateral witnesses to evaluate the requests of each party and provide a comprehensive recommendation that the Guardian believes is in the best interests of the minor child(ren). Often times, the Guardian can assist the judge in providing a neutral, third party perspective of the issues in contested custody matters. Like the attorneys for the parties, a private Guardian ad Litem will have an hourly rate and retainer fee, which will be divided pursuant to the agreement of the parties or the order of the Court.

To learn more about the private Guardian ad Litem services offered by Christine L. Derr, please contact our office at (813) 254-0022.