About
The Child’s Advocate is a project of Legal Aid of North Carolina that provides attorneys for children in highly contested private custody cases. We are appointed by judges in family court in Wake and Durham counties to represent children in cases with the following: domestic violence, child abuse or mistreatment, substance abuse or mental instability of a parent, relocation of a parent, or a child with special needs.
By working with the parents and their attorneys, we settle most of our cases without the need for a trial. But when a trial is necessary, we present evidence and call witnesses so that the Court learns about the child’s experience, concerns and preferences.
Our role is different from that of a guardian ad litem (GAL). Instead of deciding what is best for our clients, we investigate and advocate for what our clients believe is best for them. To do this, we collaborate with mental health providers so we can better understand our clients’ perspectives and preferences. Throughout our representation of our clients, we maintain a confidential attorney-client relationship.
The Child’s Advocate recruits and trains pro bono attorneys from the private family law bar to ensure that we have the resources to represent every child appointed an attorney.
Our hope is to gradually expand our services to additional counties in North Carolina.
Learn more about The Child’s Advocate.
News
Students with Disabilities Isolated: Legal Aid of North Carolina Prompts State Investigation into the Wake County Public School System
Right to Education Project files federal racial-discrimination complaint against Davidson County Schools
DAVIDSON COUNTY – Our Right to Education Project filed a federal complaint today with the…
Deadline extended for Extra Credit Grant program
Complaints resolved against Guilford, Vance schools
RALEIGH—Legal Aid of North Carolina’s systemic state complaints against Guilford County Schools and Vance County…
Education denied to students with disabilities in adult jails
RALEIGH—Prompted by complaints filed by our Advocates for Children’s Services project, the North Carolina Department…
Agreement reached to address discriminatory discipline in Durham Public Schools
Black children and children with disabilities at center of complaint DURHAM | Feb. 22, 2018…
New Wake County suspension data reveals lower overall rates, but significant disparities remain
RALEIGH, N.C., December 9, 2014 – Out-of-school suspensions in the Wake County Public School System…
N.C. youth advocates urge U.S. Department of Education to address continued discriminatory discipline practices in Wake County schools
RALEIGH, January 5, 2017 – Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Advocates for Children’s Services project joined…
Shaw University to change discriminatory policies for disabled students
RALEIGH, July 14, 2015 – Shaw University will revise its discriminatory policies and procedures for…
Wake Co. schools routinely violate rights of students with mental health disabilities
RALEIGH · July 25, 2018 – Attorneys with Advocates for Children’s Services, a project of…