Portland, OR family law attorney Matthew Muenzen talks about how an attorney for a child is different than an attorney for an adult. In Oregon, in family law cases where children are appointed attorneys, there are two types of lawyering for children based on their age. This approach is tailored to each child and is not a strict rule. When representing a younger child, the attorney typically advocates for the best interests of the child, as younger children may not be able to articulate a position on issues such as where they wish to live or how much time they want to spend with the other parent.

For older children, the attorney acts as an advocacy lawyer, essentially serving as a representative for the child and advocating for their interests. The key difference in representing a child is that the attorney may prioritize the child’s best interests, whereas, in representing a parent, the attorney would primarily focus on advocating for the parent’s interests.