Right to counsel
Tennessee
,
Court Rule or Initiative
, Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Children
Tenn. Sup. Ct. Rule 13 Section (d)(2)(D) provides that for proceedings to terminate parental rights, “The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the child, unless the termination is uncontested. The child who is or may be the subject of proceedings to terminate parental rights shall not be required to request appointment of counsel.” Tenn. Sup. Ct. Rule 40A Section 1(c), which sets forth guidelines for guardians ad litem in contested adoptions, specifies that a guardian ad litem must be a licensed attorney.
Appointment of Counsel: Yes
Qualified: No
