Adoption of Meaghan

The child's father, who was indigent and whose parental rights would be terminated if the guardians' petition was granted, filed an objection to the adoption. A judge in the Probate and Family Court appointed counsel for the father and child. CPCS sought a ruling as to whether it was authorized to compensate counsel in these circumstances, moved to intervene for the purpose of asking the judge to reserve and report the question of the father's and child's entitlement to appointed counsel in a case initiated by private parties. The court agreed with CPCS, the father, and the child that due process and equal protection principles required the appointment of counsel in such cases. View "Adoption of Meaghan" on Justia Law