Right to counsel
In any proceeding under the Adoption Act that may result in termination of parental rights, Vermont requires appointment of an attorney for any minor unless the minor declines representation. 15A V.S.A. § 3-201. Moreover, in an adoption relinquishment proceeding:
[a] parent who is a minor is competent to execute a consent or relinquishment if the parent has had the advice of an attorney who is not representing an adoptive parent or the agency to which the parent’s child is relinquished. The attorney shall be present when the consent or relinquishment is executed.
15A V.S.A. § 2-405(c).