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NEW YORK (CNN) -- A Manhattan judge appointed a "law guardian" Tuesday for the children of New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani after he and his estranged wife, Donna Hanover, failed to come up with a plan for the children to meet Giuliani's girlfriend.

Acting Supreme Court Judge Judith Gische said she wants the guardian to talk with the children -- Andrew, 15, and Caroline, 11 -- to determine how they feel about meeting Judith Nathan, the woman Giuliani says he now loves.

Gische ordered Giuliani and Hanover to work with law guardian JoAnn Douglas.

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"Custody is now in the mix as well," Gische warned, adding, "Douglas' role will be to ask the parties to speak to the children and find out what's ailing them."

Giuliani has been pushing for the children to meet Nathan. Hanover has said in court papers that the children are not emotionally ready for the meeting. Hanover cited Nathan's current bitter court battle with her ex-husband over the custody of their 16-year-old daughter.

"I would hate to make a decision so important for these children without knowing them," Gische said.

"These are both parents who have genuine love for their children. ... Let's find out what the children say their needs are."

When Gische ordered the parties to split the cost for Douglas, Giuliani's attorney Raoul Felder complained that his client has only $7,000 to his name versus Hanover's assets, which he said total more than $300,000.

Hanover's attorney, Helene Brezinsky, said she believes that Giuliani has hidden assets and as mayor of New York is entitled to free services "that the rest of us don't have."

Gische also asked that depositions from both sides be completed before the end of July. She told Brezinsky to file motions by June 28 and instructed Felder to respond by July 5.

Gische had been expected to appoint a mental health expert as well, but told the pair she would wait to make that decision.

Giuliani, 56, filed for divorce in December to end his 16-year marriage to Hanover, 50. He had separated from Hanover in May after acknowledging a relationship with Nathan, an East Side divorcee.