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Texas Family Code - Section 107.013. Mandatory Appointment Of Attorney Ad Litem For Parent

Legal Research Home > Texas Lawyer > Family Code > Texas Family Code - Section 107.013. Mandatory Appointment Of Attorney Ad Litem For Parent

§ 107.013. MANDATORY APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEY AD LITEM FOR 
PARENT.  (a) In a suit filed by a governmental entity in which 
termination of the parent-child relationship is requested, the 
court shall appoint an attorney ad litem to represent the interests 
of:
		(1)  an indigent parent of the child who responds in 
opposition to the termination;
		(2)  a parent served by citation by publication;                              
		(3)  an alleged father who failed to register with the 
registry under Chapter 160 and whose identity or location is 
unknown;  and
		(4)  an alleged father who registered with the 
paternity registry under Chapter 160, but the petitioner's attempt 
to personally serve citation at the address provided to the 
registry and at any other address for the alleged father known by 
the petitioner has been unsuccessful.
	(b)  If both parents of the child are entitled to the 
appointment of an attorney ad litem under this section and the court 
finds that the interests of the parents are not in conflict, the 
court may appoint an attorney ad litem to represent the interests of 
both parents.
	(c)  In a suit filed by a governmental entity requesting 
temporary managing conservatorship of a child, the court shall 
appoint an attorney ad litem to represent the interests of an 
indigent parent of the child who responds in opposition to the suit.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, § 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.  
Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 561, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 
1997;  Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 821, § 2.11, eff. June 14, 2001;  
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 262, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003;  Acts 
2005, 79th Leg., ch. 268, § 1.06, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.

Last modified: August 11, 2007