Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights • Guardian ad Litem • Attorney • Child’s Best Interest • Child’s Legal Interest • Dual Roles
In Re Adopt ion of L.B.M., PICS Case No. 17-0886 (Pa. March 28, 2017) Wecht, J., Saylor, C.J. (concurring), Baer, J. (dissenting) (31 pages).
The courts erred in failing to appoint a counsel for the children in a contested TPR proceeding where the children had a guardian ad litem who was an attorney because the clear language of §2313(a) required the appointment of counsel who served the child’s legal interests and a GAL, who advocated for the child’ best interests, could not perform both roles. Reversed.
