Connecticut House Bill HB05504

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/15
• Refer: 1/16/15

Caption

An Act Concerning Compensation Of A Guardian Ad Litem Or Attorney For A Minor Child Appointed In A Family Relations Matter.

Impact

The bill addresses a significant issue within family court proceedings, where legal representation can be crucial for the welfare of minor children. By preventing court-ordered fees from being imposed on unemployed individuals, HB 5504 aims to ensure that parents in financial distress are not further disadvantaged, thus potentially fostering more equitable access to legal representation for children involved in custody or related matters. This could result in more balanced outcomes in family law cases, as every child would have access to necessary legal advocacy without penalizing the financial circumstances of their guardians.

Summary

House Bill 5504 seeks to amend section 46b-62 of the general statutes regarding the compensation of legal representatives appointed for minor children in family relations matters. Specifically, the bill stipulates that courts will no longer require a party in a family relations case to pay fees to a guardian ad litem or attorney for a minor child if that party is receiving unemployment compensation at the time of the attorney's appointment. The goal of this legislation is to alleviate the financial burden on individuals who are already facing economic hardships due to unemployment.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding HB 5504 involve the broader implications of who should bear the costs of legal representation in family court cases. Advocates of the bill argue that it provides essential protections for vulnerable parties, while opponents may contend that it could lead to an increase in the financial burden on the court system or that it might not adequately incentivize responsible financial behavior among parents. Additionally, there may be discussions on whether this bill could influence how courts approach the appointment of guardians ad litem, and whether such modifications could affect the quality or availability of legal advocacy for children in need.