<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta charset="UTF-8" /><meta http-equiv='content-language' content='en-us'/><title>SDLRC - Codified Law 25-4-45.4 - Counsel appointed for child in certain divorce or custody proceedings--Duty of counsel--Assistance--Costs. </title><meta name="Generator" content="PowerTools for Open XML" /><style>span { white-space: pre-wrap; } p.s2049848Normal { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; } span.s2049848SENU { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2049848CL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2049848Normal-000000 { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-indent: 0.50in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; } span.s2049848DefaultParagraphFont { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2049848000001 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2049848SCL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2049848SCL-000002 { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } body { text-decoration-skip-ink: none; } </style></head><body><div><p dir="ltr" class="s2049848Normal"><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=25-4-45.4"><span class="s2049848SENU">25-4-45.4</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049848SENU">. </span><span class="s2049848CL">Counsel appointed for child in certain divorce or custody proceedings--Duty of counsel--Assistance--Costs.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049848Normal-000000"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049848DefaultParagraphFont">Notwithstanding the provisions of § </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=26-7A-31"><span class="s2049848DefaultParagraphFont">26-7A-31</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049848DefaultParagraphFont">, if the court determines mediation as provided in § </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=25-4-56"><span class="s2049848DefaultParagraphFont">25-4-56</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049848DefaultParagraphFont"> is not feasible the court may appoint counsel for any child involved in any divorce or custody proceeding, in which the child is alleged to be neglected or abused, or if a parent, guardian, or custodian request counsel be appointed in such proceeding and if the court determines that it is in the best interest of the child to have counsel appointed for the child. The counsel shall be charged with representation of the child's best interests and may not be counsel for any other party involved. The court may designate other persons who may or may not be attorneys to assist in the performance of the counsel's duties. The court shall allocate the cost of the appointed counsel between the parents, guardian, or custodian of the child.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049848Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049848000001"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2049848Normal"><span class="s2049848SCL">Source:</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2049848SCL-000002"> SL 1990, ch 199; SDCL, § </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=26-10-17.1"><span class="s2049848SCL-000002">26-10-17.1</span></a><span class="s2049848SCL-000002">.</span></p></div></body></html>