| 1 | 1 | | 84R6088 JSC-D |
|---|
| 2 | 2 | | By: Bohac H.B. No. 1195 |
|---|
| 3 | 3 | | |
|---|
| 4 | 4 | | |
|---|
| 5 | 5 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
|---|
| 6 | 6 | | AN ACT |
|---|
| 7 | 7 | | relating to a disclosure by an attorney before accepting |
|---|
| 8 | 8 | | representation of a client in a suit for the dissolution of |
|---|
| 9 | 9 | | marriage. |
|---|
| 10 | 10 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|---|
| 11 | 11 | | SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 6, Family Code, is amended |
|---|
| 12 | 12 | | by adding Section 6.412 to read as follows: |
|---|
| 13 | 13 | | Sec. 6.412. DISCLOSURE REQUIRED. (a) An attorney may not |
|---|
| 14 | 14 | | agree to represent a client in a suit for dissolution of a marriage |
|---|
| 15 | 15 | | unless: |
|---|
| 16 | 16 | | (1) the attorney provides the disclosure described by |
|---|
| 17 | 17 | | Subsection (b) to the client; and |
|---|
| 18 | 18 | | (2) the client acknowledges in writing that the client |
|---|
| 19 | 19 | | has received and understands the disclosure. |
|---|
| 20 | 20 | | (b) The State Bar of Texas shall adopt the disclosure form |
|---|
| 21 | 21 | | required under this section. The disclosure must include: |
|---|
| 22 | 22 | | (1) information about arbitration, mediation, |
|---|
| 23 | 23 | | collaborative law, and alternatives to retaining an attorney for |
|---|
| 24 | 24 | | the dissolution of a marriage; and |
|---|
| 25 | 25 | | (2) any other information the state bar requires. |
|---|
| 26 | 26 | | SECTION 2. (a) The State Bar of Texas shall adopt the |
|---|
| 27 | 27 | | disclosure form required by Section 6.412, Family Code, as added by |
|---|
| 28 | 28 | | this Act, not later than January 1, 2016. |
|---|
| 29 | 29 | | (b) Section 6.412, Family Code, as added by this Act, |
|---|
| 30 | 30 | | applies to the representation of a client that begins on or after |
|---|
| 31 | 31 | | March 1, 2016. |
|---|
| 32 | 32 | | SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |
|---|