Yes. Under South Dakota law, a court may appoint legal counsel for any child involved in any divorce or custody proceeding, in which the child is alleged to be neglected or abused, or if a parent, guardian, or custodian request counsel be appointed in such proceeding and if the court determines that it is in the best interest of the child to have counsel appointed for the child. The counsel shall be charged with representation of the child's best interests and may not be counsel for any other party involved. The court may designate other persons who may or may not be attorneys to assist in the performance of the counsel's duties. The court shall allocate the cost of the appointed counsel between the parents, guardian, or custodian of the child.
Can a South Dakota court appoint an attorney to represent a child in a divorce or custody proceeding?
About Swier Law Firm's Family Law Practice Group
Swier Law Firm's Family Law Practice Group has been nationally recognized and handles the following types of cases:
- Adoption
- Alimony
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Child & Spousal Support
- Grandparent Visitation Rights
- High Net Worth Divorces
- Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
- Parenting Plans
- Property Division
- Pre- and Post-Marital Planning
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Family Law and Estate Planning attorney helping families across South Dakota plan and protect their loved ones