(a) (1) In a case under this subtitle, a court shall appoint an attorney to represent a parent who: (i) has a disability that makes the parent incapable of effectively participating in the case; or (ii) when the parent must decide whether to consent to adoption, is still a minor. (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. (b) (1) In a case under this subtitle, a court shall appoint an attorney to represent a prospective adoptee who: (i) has a disability that makes the prospective adoptee incapable of effectively participating in the case; and (ii) when the prospective adoptee must decide whether to consent to adoption, is at least 10 years old. (2) To determine whether a disability makes a prospective adoptee incapable of effectively participating in a case, a court, on its own motion or on motion of a party, may order examination of the prospective adoptee. (c) An attorney or firm: (1) may represent more than one party in a case under this subtitle only if the Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct allow; and (2) may not he prospective adoptee. (c) An attorney or firm: (1) may represent more than one party in a case under this subtitle only if the Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct allow; and (2) may not represent a prospective adoptive parent and parent in the same adoption case. (d) Counsel appointed under this section may be compensated for reasonable fees, as approved by the court.
Maryland Legal Code