GENERAL ORDER 09-17

RE: AFFIDAVITS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND UNTIL FURTHER ORDER OF THIS COURT,

No order appointing counsel to represent an indigent party shall be entered until an Affidavit of Assets and Liabilities has been completed and presented to the Court. The affidavit shall be signed by the party and reviewed by the calendar judge using the indigency guidelines distributed by the Presiding Judges before either the Office of the Public Defender or an attorney from the Conflict Panel may be appointed. The affidavit shall then be made part of the official court record.

When a party who claims to be indigent appears in court for the first time, the Assistant Public Defender shall provide the party with an Affidavit of Assets and Liabilities and help in completing the form. After reviewing the affidavit, the Assistant Public Defender will present it to the Court and state whether the office is seeking appointment, or recommending that a bar attorney e appointed because of a conflict.

This General Order supercedes Child Protection Division General Order 05-20.

This order is entered this date, March 19, 2009, and shall be spread of record and published.

Patricia M. Martin
Presiding Judge
Child Protection Division