Discretionary appointment of counsel
In termination of parental rights cases, children must be appointed counsel only if the child’s GAL thinks it is necessary. S.C. Stat. § 63-7-2560(A)–(B) (“If a guardian ad litem who is not an attorney finds that appointment of counsel is necessary to protect the rights and interests of the child, an attorney must be appointed. If the guardian ad litem is an attorney, the judge must determine on a case-by-case basis whether counsel is required for the guardian ad litem. However, counsel must be appointed for a guardian ad litem who is not an attorney in any case that is contested.”)