§ 242 Attorney for the child

An "attorney for the child" is a lawyer who represents a child's interests in Family Court cases. This lawyer must be licensed to practice law in New York State.

The court appoints this attorney under a different section of the law, section 249. Once appointed, the attorney's job is to speak for the child and look out for what the child needs during the case.

This term shows up throughout the Family Court Act. Whenever you see "attorney for the child" in other rules, it means this specially appointed lawyer who represents the minor involved in the case.