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Discretionary appointment of counsel

Texas, Legislation, Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Birth Parents

In suits where “the best interests of a child are at issue, other than a suit filed by a governmental entity requesting termination of the parent-child relationship or appointment of the entity as conservator of the child,” the court’s power to appoint counsel for the parents is only permissive. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 107.021(a).

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.
© 2003-2026 National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel

The NCCRC works to advance the right to counsel for low-income people in civil cases involving basic human needs, such as housing, health, domestic violence, civil incarceration, and child custody.

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Status Map Bibliographies Advocacy Tools Key Issue: Tenant RTC
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