Friend of the Court – Defined – In a family law case, an individual or entity who wishes to, or is appointed by a court, to provide legal information or action that can influence the outcome is known as a friend of the court.
A friend of the court is different from an intervenor in that they do not have a direct interest in the outcome of the case. They are not a party in the suit, nor have they been solicited by a party in the suit. Their existence is merely to aid the court in delivering a just and right outcome.
Examples of a friend of the court include, but are not limited to, the following:
- A domestic-relations office
- A local child-support-collection office
- An advocacy group
- A local court official who can enforce actions
- An attorney in good standing with the State Bar of Texas
An example of where a friend of the court can be beneficial is when a court needs to enforce a child-support order by contempt. Essentially, the court can appoint a friend of the court through its own motion, or through the request of a person alleging a child-support order has been violated.
It is always a good idea to talk to a lawyer about your situation. Give our knowledgeable staff here at Nelson Law Group, PC a call if you have any further questions regarding this – or any other – issue. Our staff is always available.
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