Civil RTC News
This page lists all of the most recent developments on civil right to counsel across the country. These could be newly created rights to counsel, significant publications, public events, advocacy efforts, or other things that don’t fit into a neat category.
Right to counsel
Indigent persons subject to petitions for involuntary outpatient treatment are entitled to court-appointed counsel.
Qualified appointment of GAL
Services must be consensual, absent an emergency ex parte order, which triggers the appointment of a GAL who may or may not be an attorney.
Discretionary appointment of counsel for kids may extend to private adoptions
The intermediate court found that the statutory right to counsel in termination of parental rights cases extends to adoptions.
Applicants appealing denial of “township assistance” must be informed about the availability of free legal counsel
Applicants for "township assistance" appealing denial of the benefit must be informed about the availability of free legal counsel.
Discretionary appointment of counsel
The court may appoint counsel for a person alleging discriminatory housing practice.
Right to counsel
A court must arguably appoint counsel for respondents in certain civil commitment proceedings.
Discretionary appointment of guardian ad litem (GAL)
The court may appoint a GAL for a minor if their interests are not adequately represented but the GAL seemingly need not be an attorney.
Right to counsel for certain adoption petitioners
Indigent adoption petitioners trying to adopt a child who was the subject of a termination of parental rights matter may be entitled to counsel.
Discretionary appointment of attorney as GAL for dependent adults
The court may appoint an attorney guardian ad litem for a dependent adult whose power of attorney agent is under investigation by the court.
Discretionary appointment for unrepresented interested person in probate matter
The court may appoint counsel to represent any interested person served with notice who is unrepresented in a probate estate case.
Right to counsel
There is a RTC for service members denied an additional stay due to continuing material effect of military duty on their ability to appear.
Discretionary appointment of GAL for child in certain circumstances
The court must appoint a guardian ad litem, who may or may not be an attorney, if the child and petitioner's interests differ.
