Rule 8. Right to Counsel

(a) Counsel of Choice. The court shall ensure at the first

appearance of a parent that the parent is informed of the right

to counsel of their choice at the parent’s own expense. The

court shall ensure that a child is advised of the right to counsel

at the time the child appears to sign a consent to adoption.

(b) Appointed Counsel.

(1) The court shall appoint counsel at public expense

pursuant to Administrative Rule 12(e)(1)(A)(i) to represent an

indigent parent of an Indian child.

(2) The court shall appoint the Office of Public

Advocacy to represent an indigent parent against whom an

involuntary termination of parental rights is sought pursuant to

AS 25.23.180(c)(2).

(3) The court shall also appoint counsel at public

expense pursuant to Administrative Rule 12 to represent:

(A) an indigent parent against whom an involuntary

termination of parental rights is sought on grounds other than

stated in AS 25.23.180(c)(2), if the action is brought by the

state or by a party represented by the Alaska Legal Services

Corporation or the Alaska Pro Bono Program; and

(B) an indigent parent who is defending against a claim

that the parent’s consent to adoption is not required under AS

25.23.050(a).

(4) The court may appoint counsel under AS 25.24.310

to represent a minor child who is to be adopted.

*An indigent Indian custodian has a right to court-appointed

counsel under 25 U.S.C. § 1912(b). Counsel appointed under

§ 1912 must seek compensation pursuant to 25 CFR 23.13.