Right to counsel
Certain parents have the right to consult with counsel prior to the permanent placement of their child. Mich. Comp. Laws § 710.55a(2) specifies that
In a direct placement or agency placement adoption, if the minor parent of a child who is a potential adoptee is not represented by an attorney, the adoption attorney or child placing agency that is providing adoption services involving that minor parent shall provide the minor parent with an opportunity to discuss with an attorney who is not associated with the adoption attorney or child placing agency the legal ramifications of a consent or release, or of the termination of parental rights, before the execution of a consent or release or the termination of parental rights.
In a direct placement that is temporary in nature, “the parent or guardian is assisted by an adoption attorney or a child placing agency.” Mich. Comp. Laws § 710.23d(1)(b).
