{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3a-07","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Family Law § 5–3A–07","heading":"","body":"(a) (1) In a case under this subtitle, a court shall appoint an attorney to represent a parent who:\n(i) has a disability that makes the parent incapable of effectively participating in the case; or\n(ii) when the parent must decide whether to consent under this subtitle, is still a minor.\n(2) To determine whether a disability makes a parent incapable of effectively participating in a case, a court, on its own motion or on motion of a party, may order examination of the parent.\n(b) (1) In an adoption proceeding under this subtitle, a court shall appoint an attorney to represent a prospective adoptee who:\n(i) is at least 10 years old; and\n(ii) 1. is a minor; or\n2. has a disability that makes the prospective adoptee incapable of effectively participating in the proceeding.\n(2) To determine whether a disability makes a child incapable of effectively participating in a case, a court, on its own motion or on motion of a party, may order examination of the child.\n(c) An attorney or firm:\n(1) may represent more than one party in a case under this subtitle only if the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct allow; and\n(2) may not represent a prospective adoptive parent and parent in the same case.\n(d) Counsel appointed under this section may be compensated for reasonable fees, as approved by the court.","path":["Article - Family Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl\u0026section=5-3A-07","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:17Z","sha256":"cecab3e89689a6d89294f60fe69565f4848139455064b33b3c08fe1b9289d99e","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3a-06","next":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3a-08"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}