Petitioner and respondent may have friend or relative present

§ 838. Petitioner and respondent may have friend or relative present.
Unless the court shall find it undesirable, the petitioner shall be
entitled to a non-witness friend, relative, counselor or social worker
present in the court room. This section does not authorize any such
person to take part in the proceedings. However, at any time during the
proceeding, the court may call such person as a witness and take his or
her testimony. Unless the court shall find it undesirable, the
respondent shall be entitled to a non-witness friend, relative,
counselor or social worker present in the court room in the event such
respondent is not represented by legal counsel. This section does not
authorize any such person to take part in the proceedings. However, at
any time during the proceeding, the court may call such person as a
witness and take his or her testimony.