1997 Minnesota Statutes

     257.69 Right to counsel; costs; free transcript on 
  appeal. 

    Subdivision 1.    Representation by counsel.  In all 
 proceedings under sections 257.51 to 257.74, any party may be 
 represented by counsel.  The county attorney shall represent the 
 public authority.  The court shall appoint counsel for a party 
 who is unable to pay timely for counsel in proceedings under 
 sections 257.51 to 257.74. 

    Subd. 2.    Guardian; legal fees.  The court may order 
 expert witness and guardian ad litem fees and other costs of the 
 trial and pretrial proceedings, including appropriate tests, to 
 be paid by the parties in proportions and at times determined by 
 the court.  The court shall require a party to pay part of the 
 fees of court-appointed counsel according to the party's ability 
 to pay, but if counsel has been appointed the appropriate agency 
 shall pay the party's proportion of all other fees and costs.  
 The agency responsible for child support enforcement shall pay 
 the fees and costs for blood or genetic tests in a proceeding in 
 which it is a party, is the real party in interest, or is acting 
 on behalf of the child.  However, at the close of a proceeding 
 in which paternity has been established under sections 257.51 to 
 257.74, the court shall order the adjudicated father to 
 reimburse the public agency, if the court finds he has 
 sufficient resources to pay the costs of the blood or genetic 
 tests.  When a party bringing an action is represented by the 
 county attorney, no filing fee shall be paid to the court 
 administrator. 

    Subd. 3.  If a party is financially unable to pay the cost 
 of a transcript, the court shall furnish on request a transcript 
 for purposes of appeal.  

    HIST: 1980 c 589 s 19; 1983 c 308 s 13; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82; 1995 
 c 207 art 10 s 13,14 

*   NOTE:  The amendment to subdivision 2 by Laws 1995, chapter 
*207, article 10, section 14, is effective retroactive to August 
*10, 1993.  See Laws 1995, chapter 207, article 10, section 26.