KRS 625.041: Party to action -- Guardian ad litem to be appointed.

(1) The parties to an action for voluntary termination of parental rights shall be the

parent seeking termination, whose presence is not required if represented by

counsel for the parent when an appearance -waiver and consent -to-adopt form is

filed with the cou rt, but the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the

best interest of the child, unless one has already been appointed in a proceeding

under KRS Chapter 620.

(2) The guardian ad litem shall be paid a fee to be fixed by the court, not to exc eed five

hundred dollars ($500), to be paid by the petitioner, except if the Cabinet for Health

and Family Services receives custody of the child, the guardian ad litem shall be

paid by the Finance and Administration Cabinet.

(3) The parent may sign an app earance-waiver and consent -to-adopt form when the

parent chooses not to attend a voluntary termination of parental rights proceedings.

This form, prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts, shall:

(a) Contain a statement of acknowledgment and ag reement, regarding the

appearance at the proceeding, signed by the parent, counsel for the parent, and

the cabinet. If the parent is a minor, the form shall also be signed by the

guardian of the minor parent;

(b) Contain the parent's notarized signature;

(c) Contain any address to which the parent requests the final judgment be

served.

(4) If a joint petition is filed, counsel shall be designated as attorney for both parties.