Sec. 107.021. DISCRETIONARY APPOINTMENTS. (a) In a suit in which the best interests of a child are at issue, other than a suit filed by a governmental entity requesting termination of the parent-child relationship or appointment of the entity as conservator of the child, the court may appoint one of the following:
(1) an amicus attorney;
(2) an attorney ad litem; or
(3) a guardian ad litem.
(a-1) In a suit requesting termination of the parent-child relationship that is not filed by a governmental entity, the court shall, unless the court finds that the interests of the child will be represented adequately by a party to the suit whose interests are not in conflict with the child's interests, appoint one of the following:
(1) an amicus attorney; or
(2) an attorney ad litem.
(b) In determining whether to make an appointment under this section, the court:
(1) shall:
(A) give due consideration to the ability of the parties to pay reasonable fees to the appointee; and
(B) balance the child's interests against the cost to the parties that would result from an appointment by taking into consideration the cost of available alternatives for resolving issues without making an appointment;
(2) may make an appointment only if the court finds that the appointment is necessary to ensure the determination of the best interests of the child, unless the appointment is otherwise required by this code; and
(3) may not require a person appointed under this section to serve without reasonable compensation for the services rendered by the person.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 172 (H.B. 307), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2005.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in
76
cases (
28 in the last 5 years), 2005–2026 · leading case:
In re Villanueva, 292 S.W.3d 236 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009).
In re Villanueva, 292 S.W.3d 236 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009).
· cites it 8× “Tex. FaM.Code Ann. § 107.021 (Vernon 2008).”
In re Interest of R.H.W., 542 S.W.3d 724 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2018).
· cites it 2× “See Tex. Fam. Code § 107.021 ; In re Scheller , 325 S.”
in the Interest of S.A.G., a Child, 403 S.W.3d 907 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013).
· cites it 4× “Under the authority granted to the court by Texas Family Code Section 107.021, the trial court appointed James Wendell Litzler as amicus attorney in this case.”
In the Interest of Baby Boy R., 191 S.W.3d 916 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006).
“Laws 1173 , 1181-82 (current version at Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 107.021(a) (Vernon Supp.”
In re Scheller, 325 S.W.3d 640 (Tex. 2010).
“” Tex. Fam.Code § 107.021(a)(3), (b)(2). Psychologists are one class of professionals qualified under the Family Code to serve as a guardians ad litem.”
In re C.L.S., 403 S.W.3d 15 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2012).
“]” Tex. Family Code Ann. § 107.021 (a-l). The Code defines "amicus attorney” to mean "an attorney appointed by the court in a suit, other than a suit filed by a governmental entity, whose role is to provide legal services necessary to assist the court in protecting a child’s…”
In re Collins, 242 S.W.3d 837 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2007).
· cites it 2× “[ 16 ] Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 107.021(emphasis added).”
In re Bradshaw, 273 S.W.3d 851 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2008).
“See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 107.021(a)(1) (Vernon Supp.”
in the Interest of T.M.R., a Child, No. 13-21-00144-CV, 2021 WL 4998438 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg Oct. 28, 2021).
· cites it 6× “contends the trial court committed reversible error by failing to appoint an amicus attorney or attorney ad litem under Texas Family Code § 107.021. That statute states: In a suit requesting termination of the parent-child relationship that is not filed by a governmental entity,…”
Tex. Fam. Code § 107.021(A)(1): 1 case
Tex. Fam. Code § 107.021(a): 17 cases
In the Interest of Baby Boy R., 191 S.W.3d 916 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006).
“Laws 1173 , 1181-82 (current version at Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 107.021(a) (Vernon Supp.”
in the Interest of S.A.G., a Child, 403 S.W.3d 907 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013).
“Under the authority granted to the court by Texas Family Code Section 107.021, the trial court appointed James Wendell Litzler as amicus attorney in this case.”
In re Collins, 242 S.W.3d 837 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2007).
“[ 16 ] Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 107.021(emphasis added).”
Tex. Fam. Code § 107.021(a)(1): 1 case
In re Bradshaw, 273 S.W.3d 851 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2008).
“See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 107.021(a)(1) (Vernon Supp.”
Tex. Fam. Code § 107.021(a)(2): 1 case
Tex. Fam. Code § 107.021(a)(3): 2 cases
In re Scheller, 325 S.W.3d 640 (Tex. 2010).
“” Tex. Fam.Code § 107.021(a)(3), (b)(2). Psychologists are one class of professionals qualified under the Family Code to serve as a guardians ad litem.”
Tex. Fam. Code § 107.021(b)(1): 2 cases
in the Interest of T.M.R., a Child, No. 13-21-00144-CV, 2021 WL 4998438 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg Oct. 28, 2021).
“contends the trial court committed reversible error by failing to appoint an amicus attorney or attorney ad litem under Texas Family Code § 107.021. That statute states: In a suit requesting termination of the parent-child relationship that is not filed by a governmental entity,…”
Tex. Fam. Code § 107.021(b)(1)(A): 1 case
In re Villanueva, 292 S.W.3d 236 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009).
“Tex. FaM.Code Ann. § 107.021 (Vernon 2008).”
Tex. Fam. Code § 107.021(b)(1)(B): 1 case
In re Villanueva, 292 S.W.3d 236 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009).
“Tex. FaM.Code Ann. § 107.021 (Vernon 2008).”
Tex. Fam. Code § 107.021(b)(2): 3 cases
In re Villanueva, 292 S.W.3d 236 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009).
“Tex. FaM.Code Ann. § 107.021 (Vernon 2008).”
Tex. Fam. Code § 107.021(b)(3): 1 case
In re Villanueva, 292 S.W.3d 236 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009).
“Tex. FaM.Code Ann. § 107.021 (Vernon 2008).”
Tex. Fam. Code § 107.021(b)(l): 1 case
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