There are differences around the state when it comes to procedures for applying for and reviewing parent attorney applications.
A packet of forms to apply for an attorney is available for statewide use online at https://mncourts.gov/forms under the "Child Protection" forms category. Parents can either download the forms from the website or use Guide & File to complete the forms. The forms include instructions for requesting a court-appointed attorney and an application, referred to as an “affidavit.” Translations of the forms into Spanish and Somali are also available for download from the Minnesota Judicial Branch (MJB) website.
Completed application forms are filed with the local court administration. A court administration staff person will tell the filer the procedures for having a judicial officer review the application, this may be different depending on local court practices.
Judicial officers generally look to public defender eligibility guidelines when determining if a parent financially qualifies and, if they do, the court has the discretion to appoint an attorney to them.
