# Alaska Adoption R. 8: Rule 8. Right to Counsel

> Alaska · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R8

## Section

- **Citation:** Alaska Adoption R. 8
- **Heading:** Rule 8. Right to Counsel
- **Jurisdiction:** Alaska
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Alaska Rules of Court / Alaska Adoption Rules / Alaska Adoption R. 8

## Text

(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.

## Nearby sections

- [Alaska Adoption R. 1 Rule 1. Title—Scope—Construction—Situations Not Covered by the Rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R1.md)
- [Alaska Adoption R. 2 Rule 2. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R2.md)
- [Alaska Adoption R. 3 Rule 3. Appointment and Authority of Masters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R3.md)
- [Alaska Adoption R. 4 Rule 4. Authority of District Court Judges and Magistrate Judges](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R4.md)
- [Alaska Adoption R. 5 Rule 5. Venue](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R5.md)
- [Alaska Adoption R. 6 Rule 6. Petitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R6.md)
- [Alaska Adoption R. 7 Rule 7. Guardians Ad Litem](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R7.md)
- [Alaska Adoption R. 8 Rule 8. Right to Counsel](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R8.md)
- [Alaska Adoption R. 9 Rule 9. Consents—Relinquishments](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R9.md)
- [Alaska Adoption R. 10 Rule 10. Notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R10.md)
- [Alaska Adoption R. 11 Rule 11. Hearings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R11.md)
- [Alaska Adoption R. 12 Rule 12. Tribal Intervention and Removal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R12.md)
- [Alaska Adoption R. 13 Rule 13. Decree of Termination](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R13.md)
- [Alaska Adoption R. 14 Rule 14. Decree of Adoption](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AK_ADOPT_R8. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.