Right to counsel

Kansas , Legislation , Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Children , Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Children

Kan. Stat. § 38-2205(a) specifies that for all “proceedings under [the child in need of care] code” (which would include termination of parental rights cases in addition to dependency matters):

Upon the filing of a petition, the court shall appoint an attorney to serve as guardian ad litem for a child who is the subject of proceedings under this code. The guardian ad litem shall make an independent investigation of the facts upon which the petition is based and shall appear for and represent the best interests of the child. When the child’s position is not consistent with the determination of the guardian ad litem as to the child’s best interests, the guardian ad litem shall inform the court of the disagreement. The guardian ad litem or the child may request the court to appoint a second attorney to serve as attorney for the child, and the court, on good cause shown, may appoint such second attorney. The attorney for the child shall allow the child and the guardian ad litem to communicate with one another but may require such communications to occur in the attorney’s presence.

See also Kan. Sup. Ct. Rules R. 110A(d) (using the same language as above to explain a guardian ad litem’s duties upon learning that child’s wishes differ from their recommendation).

Appointment of Counsel: Yes
Qualified: Yes
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.