AR HB1571

Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts is authorized to establish attorney ad litem programs to represent children in guardianship and custody cases in circuit court.

Supreme Court shall adopt standards of practice and qualifications for attorneys serving as ad litem; in extraordinary cases, circuit courts may appoint unqualified attorneys but they cannot be appointed in subsequent cases until they meet required standards.

Circuit judges may order financially able parents, custodians, or parties to pay all or part of attorney ad litem fees and expenses, including determining hourly rates, establishing qualifying expenses, and ordering retainers.

Administrative Office of the Courts may be ordered by judges to pay attorney ad litem fees and expenses from appropriated funds; the office shall establish guidelines for maximum fees per hour and per case.

Administrative Office of the Courts shall develop statistical surveys completed by ad litem attorneys upon case conclusion, tracking child ages, custody issue timing, psychological services ordered, and other relevant information.