Texas Family Code

§ 107.013 — MANDATORY APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEY AD LITEM FOR PARENT

FA § 107.013Title 5. THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP · Part A. GENERAL PROVISIONS · Ch. 107. SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS, CHILD CUSTODY EVALUATIONS, AND ADOPTION EVALUATIONS · Art. B. APPOINTMENTS IN CERTAIN SUITS

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(a)In a suit filed by a governmental entity under Subtitle E in which termination of the parent-child relationship or the appointment of a conservator for a child 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 or appointment;

(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. (a-1) In a suit described by Subsection (a), if a parent is not represented by an attorney at the parent's first appearance in court, the court shall inform the parent of:

(1)the right to be represented by an attorney; and

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Legislative history

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 268 (S.B. 6), Sec. 1.06, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 526 (S.B. 813), Sec. 1, eff. June 16, 2007. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 75 (H.B. 906), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 810 (S.B. 1759), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 810 (S.B. 1759), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 128 (S.B. 1931), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.