S1:E13 – ERIN WILSON "Kids and the Courts. Who's protecting them?"

Child custody, guardian ad litem, hidden assets in divorce, and how family court really works — Illinois family law attorney Erin Wilson joins Becky Sampson on the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast to pull back the curtain on the legal process no one explains to you before you're already in it. Who is actually protecting your children in divorce court? What's the difference between a Guardian ad Litem and a child representative — and what do you do if they're not doing their job? How do financial affidavits expose hidden assets? And why does choosing the wrong attorney cost you more than money? Erin Wilson has the answers — from every side of the courtroom. As the founder of The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson LLC in Chicago, Erin has spent over 15 years exclusively practicing family law — as a litigator, mediator, parenting coordinator, and court-appointed Guardian ad Litem and child representative. She's fought for clients, advocated for children, and mediated between warring spouses. That 360° perspective makes this conversation unlike anything you'll hear from a typical legal podcast. If you feel lost in the divorce process, don't understand the legal terms being thrown at you, or you're terrified the court system won't protect your kids — this episode is your playbook. 🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to find and hire the right divorce attorney — and the #1 red flag to watch for Why trust between you and your lawyer matters more than aggression or reputation What a financial affidavit is, why it's your "ticket to the courthouse," and how it exposes dishonesty How to use subpoenas and formal discovery to uncover hidden assets when your spouse lies on financial disclosures Marital vs. non-marital assets explained: what's yours, what's theirs, and what gets split The critical difference between a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) and a child representative — roles, confidentiality, and advocacy What to do when a GAL or child representative isn't fulfilling their role (motions for removal, requesting additional experts) How family courts determine a child's preference in custody — and why age, maturity, and the "why" behind their choice matter Why filing a parenting plan early in the divorce process calms fears and protects your kids Erin's definition of "Divorcing Strong": emerging happier, freer, and more empowered 💡 This Episode Is For You If: You're entering the divorce process and don't understand what a Guardian ad Litem does or why the court appointed one You suspect your spouse is hiding assets and don't know how to prove it You're overwhelmed by legal terminology and feel like you're losing control of your own case You don't know how to choose a family law attorney — or you're questioning whether you chose the right one You want to understand how your children's voices are heard (or silenced) in family court You're worried the legal system is failing your kids, and you need to know your options 🎙️ About Our Guest: Erin M. Wilson is the founder and managing attorney of The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson LLC in Chicago, Illinois. She has practiced family law exclusively for over 15 years and is frequently appointed as a Guardian ad Litem and child representative by the courts. Erin is also a trained mediator, collaborative law practitioner, and parenting coordinator. She serves on the boards of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and the Decalogue Society, and is a founding member of the Illinois Association of Independent Attorneys. Learn more at ewilsonfamilylaw.com 🎧 About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast:  Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. 🏷️ Keywords: guardian ad litem, child custody, family court, family law attorney, divorce lawyer, hidden assets in divorce, financial affidavit divorce, divorce process explained, child representative, parenting plan, divorce attorney tips, protecting children in divorce, divorce advice for women, divorce strategy, custody battle, marital vs non-marital assets, divorce subpoena, high conflict divorce, co-parenting, Divorcing Strong, Erin Wilson Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong