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Divorce law aids children

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By CATHERINE DOLINSKI

cdolinski@tampatrib.com

Published: June 3, 2009

TALLAHASSEE - Children caught in the middle of nasty divorces soon may have legal advocates to look after their interests.

Gov. Charlie Crist signed into law on Tuesday a bill that will allow courts to appoint certified Guardian ad Litem volunteers to represent children in divorces even if there is no allegation of abuse or neglect.

In bitter divorces, "oftentimes the parents hate each other more than it seems that they love their children," said Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, who sponsored the bill with Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa.

The idea came from a legal aid organization, Stargel said. The extent of the program will depend on volunteers.

Involving the volunteers in divorces where there is no abuse or neglect is a big change, said George Sheldon, secretary of the Department of Children & Families.

"When a family splits up, everybody is thinking about the parents. Somebody really does need to be speaking for the kid. Divorce has, to a large extent, a larger impact on the kids than it has on the parents."

It goes into effect July 1.

Joyner was not available for comment.

Reporter Catherine Dolinski can be reached at (850) 222-8382.

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