Effective - 28 Aug 1985
211.462. Appointment of guardian ad litem, when — rights of parent or guardian — county to pay court costs, exceptions. — 1. In all actions to terminate parental rights, if not previously appointed pursuant to section 210.160, a guardian ad litem shall be appointed for the child as soon as practicable after the filing of the petition.
2. The parent or guardian of the person of the child shall be notified of the right to have counsel, and if they request counsel and are financially unable to employ counsel, counsel shall be appointed by the court. Notice of this provision shall be contained in the summons. When the parent is a minor or incompetent the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent such parent.
3. The guardian ad litem shall, during all stages of the proceedings:
(1) Be the legal representative of the child, and may examine, cross-examine, subpoena witnesses and offer testimony. The guardian ad litem may also initiate an appeal of any disposition that he determines to be adverse to the best interests of the child;
(2) Be an advocate for the child during the dispositional hearing and aid in securing a permanent placement plan for the child. To ascertain the child's wishes, feelings, attachments, and attitudes, he shall conduct all necessary interviews with persons, other than the parent, having contact with or knowledge of the child and, if appropriate, with the child;
(3) Protect the rights, interest and welfare of a minor or incompetent parent by exercising the powers and duties enumerated in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection.
4. Court costs shall be paid by the county in which the proceeding is instituted, except that the court may require the agency or person having or receiving legal or actual custody to pay the costs.
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(L. 1978 H.B. 972 § 5, A.L. 1985 H.B. 366, et al.)
Structure Missouri Revised Statutes
Title XII - Public Health and Welfare
Section 211.011 - Purpose of law — how construed.
Section 211.021 - Definitions.
Section 211.023 - Juvenile court commissioner, appointment, where, term, compensation.
Section 211.037 - Nonoffending parent, child returned to custody of, when.
Section 211.051 - Jurisdiction as to custody of child not exclusive.
Section 211.069 - Citation of law.
Section 211.085 - Court may order work in restitution for child — child not an employee.
Section 211.101 - Issuance of summons — notice — temporary custody of child — subpoenas.
Section 211.111 - Summons, how served.
Section 211.121 - Failure to respond to summons, contempt — warrant for custodian of child.
Section 211.132 - Parent, guardian may be made party to proceeding.
Section 211.135 - Appearance of child in court, when.
Section 211.151 - Places of detention — photographing and fingerprinting, restrictions.
Section 211.156 - Care and detention of certain children by county, contribution by state, when.
Section 211.161 - Court may require physical or mental examination — costs paid by county.
Section 211.177 - Grandparent's right to intervene in action, restrictions, termination.
Section 211.180 - Family preservation screenings, conducted when, results.
Section 211.188 - Court may order work for restitution — not an employee.
Section 211.202 - Mentally disordered children, evaluation — disposition — review by court.
Section 211.203 - Developmentally disabled children, evaluation — disposition — review by court.
Section 211.221 - Religion considered in placing child.
Section 211.251 - Modification of court orders.
Section 211.271 - Court orders not to affect civil rights — not evidence, exception.
Section 211.281 - Costs how adjudged, collected.
Section 211.311 - Clerk of circuit court to act for juvenile court.
Section 211.319 - Juvenile court records and proceedings, abuse and neglect cases, procedure.
Section 211.341 - Detention facilities, how provided — government (third and fourth class counties).
Section 211.343 - Detention facilities, standards and rules for operation.
Section 211.355 - Missouri state juvenile justice advisory board, members, report.
Section 211.381 - Compensation of juvenile court personnel — expenses — salary adjustments.
Section 211.382 - Professionals retained by juvenile court, when.
Section 211.401 - Duties of juvenile officers — may make arrests — cooperation.
Section 211.411 - Law enforcement officials to assist and cooperate with juvenile officers.
Section 211.421 - Endangering the welfare of a child or interfering with orders of court.
Section 211.431 - Violation of law, class A misdemeanor.
Section 211.442 - Definitions.
Section 211.443 - Construction of sections 211.442 to 211.487.
Section 211.444 - Termination of parental rights, when.
Section 211.453 - Service of summons, how made — when required — waiver of summons.
Section 211.487 - Application of sections 211.442 to 211.487 — what law to govern.
Section 211.500 - Establishment of regional juvenile detention districts, when.