Rhode Island
,
Legislation
, Custody Disputes - Children
R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.2(c)(1) specifies that in divorce proceedings, “The court may, if in its discretion it deems it necessary or advisable, appoint an attorney or a guardian ad litem to represent the interest of a minor or dependent child with respect to his or her support, custody, and visitation.” The statute goes on to provide criteria the judge should use in deciding whether to make such an appointment.
Appointment of Counsel: Discretionary
Qualified:
No
?
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.