Right to guardian ad litem

Missouri , Legislation , Parentage - Petitioner or Child

In actions brought under the Uniform Parentage Act, “commenced under sections 210.817 to 210.852”, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the child “if child abuse or neglect is alleged, or if the child is named as a defendant, or if the court determines that the interests of the child and his or her next friend are in conflict.” Mo. Stat. 210.830.  A Supreme Court rule clarifies that “When appointing a guardian ad litem for a child, the court shall only appoint a lawyer licensed by the Supreme Court who has completed the training required by these standards.”  Mo. Sup. Ct., Standards with Comments for Guardians Ad Litem in Missouri, Standard 1.0. 

Appointment of Counsel: Yes
Qualified: Yes
? 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.