Source: http://benchbook.texaschildrenscommission.gov/library_item/gov.texaschildrenscommission.benchbook/49
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 03:40:06+00:00

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An alleged father who registered with the paternity registry but cannot be personally served. Tex. Fam. Code § 107.013(a)(4).
If the parent is indigent and appears in opposition to the suit, the right to an attorney ad litem appointed by the court. Tex. Fam. Code § 107.013(a-1).
The court may appoint one attorney for both parents if they are both entitled and their interests are not in conflict and there is no history or pattern of past or present family violence by one parent directed against the other parent, a spouse, or a child of the parties. Tex. Fam. Code § 107.013(b).
The court shall require a parent who claims indigence under Tex. Fam. Code § 107.013(a) to file an affidavit of indigence pursuant to Tex. R. Civ. P. 145(b) before the court may conduct a hearing to determine the parent’s indigence under Tex. Fam. Code § 107.013. Tex. Fam. Code § 107.013(d).
The court may consider additional evidence at that hearing, including evidence relating to the parent’s income, source of income, assets, property ownership, benefits paid in accordance with a federal, state, or local public assistance program, outstanding obligations, and necessary expenses and the number and ages of the parent’s dependents. If the court determines the parent is indigent, the court shall appoint an attorney ad litem to represent the parent. Tex. Fam. Code § 107.013(d).
However, if DFPS has alleged grounds for termination of parental rights under Tex. Fam. Code § 161.003(b) based on inability to care for the child, the court must appoint an attorney when the petition is filed and without regard to opposition or indigence.
Tex. Fam. Code § 107.0141 authorizes the court to appoint an attorney ad litem to represent the interests of a parent for a limited period beginning at the time the court issues a temporary restraining order or attachment of the parent’s child under Tex. Fam. Code Chapter 262 and ending on the court’s determination of whether the parent is indigent before commencement of the full Adversary Hearing. Tex. Fam. Code § 107.0141(a).
◦ interview any parent or other person who may have information relating to the identity or location of the parent. Tex. Fam. Code § 107.0141(b).
• Assist the parent in preparing for the full Adversary Hearing under Tex. Fam. Code Chapter 262, Subchapter C. Tex. Fam. Code § 107.0141(c).
If the court determines the parent is indigent, the court may appoint the attorney ad litem to continue to represent the parent under Tex. Fam. Code § 107.013(a)(1). Tex. Fam. Code § 107.0141(d).
If the attorney ad litem is unable to identify or locate the parent, the attorney ad litem shall submit to the court a written summary of the attorney ad litem’s efforts to identify or locate the parent with a statement that the attorney ad litem was unable to identify or locate the parent. On receipt of the summary required by Tex. Fam. Code § 107.0141(e), the court shall discharge the attorney ad litem from the appointment. Tex. Fam. Code § 107.0141(e).
If the attorney ad litem identifies or locates the parent, and the court determines that the parent is not indigent, the court shall discharge the attorney ad litem from the appointment. Tex. Fam. Code § 107.0141(f).

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