Opinion ID: 2444239
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Parents' Joint Representation

Text: [¶ 13] In Maine, indigent parents in child protection cases have a right to court-appointed counsel. 22 M.R.S. § 4005(2) (2009); 18-A M.R.S. § 9-204(b) (2009); see also Danforth v. State Dep't of Health & Welfare, 303 A.2d 794, 801 (Me. 1973). An indigent parent is also entitled to court-appointed representation in certain guardianship proceedings, 18-A M.R.S. § 5-204(d) (2009), and in adoption proceedings, 18-A M.R.S. § 9-106 (2009). On their face, none of these statutory provisions mandate separate representation for the parents involved in these proceedings. 18-A M.R.S. §§ 5-204(d), 9-106; 22 M.R.S. § 4005(2). We have, however, recognized that the appointment of joint representation at a time when the parents have a demonstrable conflict of interest is improper. See In re Kafia M., 1999 ME 195, ¶¶ 25, 28, 742 A.2d 919, 927-28. [¶ 14] In the instant case, both parents signed a conflict of interest waiver. After signing the waiver, the parents never alerted the court that any conflict of interest had arisen. Their contentions on appeal that (1) their cases had different strengths and weaknesses, and (2) the evidence was stronger against one parent than the other, are insufficient to establish such a conflict that the court should have identified it sua sponte. There is no indication that a demonstrable conflict of interest existed between the parents during any of the Probate Court proceedings.