Marie Moreno Myers, Esq.
WHAT IS A CHILD ADVOCACY LAWYER?
Child advocate attorneys work to protect the rights of minors in cases involving divorce, child custody, neglect or abuse, and juvenile court proceedings.
Courts will appoint a child advocate attorney in the following circumstances:
• Neglect or abuse of the minor
• Contested child custody proceedings
• Adoptions
• Termination of parental rights
• Visitation
Child advocate attorneys are usually trained in representing minors or have taken particular courses in family law issues. They must also demonstrate proficiency and legal knowledge in this specialized area.
Some responsibilities of child advocate attorneys include the following:
• Conducting investigations
• Participating in all court proceedings and negotiations
• Obtaining all relevant records regarding the child and parents
• Receiving notice of all court documents
• Requesting hearings
• Presenting evidence in support of the advocate’s position
• Ascertaining and presenting the wishes of the child to the court
• Collecting child support payments
• Making recommendations to the court
A Certified Family Law Specialist
What is a Certified Specialist in Family Law?
Attorney Myers is recognized as a Certified Family Law Specialist by the California State Board of Legal Specialization. She continues to participate in the rigorous education process to maintain her specialization. With over 10 years of legal service, Attorney Myers helps clients achieve positive outcomes in their family law cases. Marie Moreno Myers successfully completed the preeminent trial training program for family law practitioners through the American Bar Association Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute and is a former professor of community property at the California Southern Law School in Riverside.
Attorney Myers takes Minor’s Counsel Cases by Court Appointment only. As Minor’s Counsel, Attorney Myers provides legal representation to children involved in family law cases. Her role is to learn about the child’s best interest including the health, safety, and welfare of the child; gathering information from interviews with the child, parents, therapists, and/or doctors. Attorney Myers also evaluates school and medical records, psychological evaluations, and any other information that provide relevant insight pertaining to the child’s needs.
Certification as a specialist in family law requires that the attorney demonstrate considerable experience in handling family law matters including:
• Child custody and visitation
• Spousal support /alimony
• Child support
• Property division
• The lawyer must also show substantial involvement in the family law area, as demonstrated by court, hearing and counseling participation. For more information, see the State Bar of California Web site.
To be certified by the State Bar of California, a lawyer must::
• Have engaged in the area of certification for at least 25 percent over the last five years.
• Be an active member of the State Bar of California.
• Pass a written exam.
• Show a high level of experience and achievement in the area.
• Complete at least 45 hours of continuing legal education in their selected area.
• Be in favorable standing with peers and judges.
Associate Attorney
Carlos A. Mathus, Esq.
Carlos A. Mathus graduated from California State University, Long Beach. He completed his law degree at Trinity Law School in Santa Ana, California.
After being admitted to take the California State Bar in July of 2010, he worked for one of the Inland Empire’s top family law firms. In 2014, he joined the Law Offices of Marie Moreno Myers as an associate attorney.
He practices family law in Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange and Los Angeles counties. He is bilingual in English and Spanish. Si tiene preguntas, llame a nuestra oficina donde se le puede ayudar en Español.