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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>72205</law_id><section_number>16.1-267</section_number><catch_line>Compensation of appointed counsel</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>16.1-266</reference><reference>20-124.4</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="16.1">Courts Not of Record</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="11">Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="6">Appointment of Counsel</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> When <span class="dictionary">the court</span> appoints <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> to represent a child pursuant to subsection A of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Appointment of counsel and guardian ad litem" href="/16.1-266/">16.1-266</a> and, after an investigation by <span class="dictionary">the court</span> services unit, finds that the parents are financially able to pay for the attorney and refuse to do so, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall assess costs against the parents for such legal services in the maximum amount of that awarded the attorney by <span class="dictionary">the court</span> under the circumstances of the case, considering such factors as the ability of the parents to pay and the nature and extent of the <span class="dictionary">counsel</span>&#x2019;s duties in the case. Such amount shall not exceed the maximum amount specified in subdivision 1 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Compensation of court-appointed counsel" href="/19.2-163/">19.2-163</a> if the action is in district court.
			When <span class="dictionary">the court</span> appoints <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> to represent a child pursuant to subsection B or C of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Appointment of counsel and guardian ad litem" href="/16.1-266/">16.1-266</a> and, after an investigation by <span class="dictionary">the court</span> services unit, finds that the parents are financially able to pay for the attorney in whole or in part and refuse to do so, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall assess costs in whole or in part against the parents for such legal services in the amount awarded the attorney by <span class="dictionary">the court</span>. Such amount shall not exceed $100 if the action is in <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> court or the maximum amount specified in subdivision 1 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Compensation of court-appointed counsel" href="/19.2-163/">19.2-163</a> if the action is in district court. In determining the financial ability of the parents to pay for an attorney to represent the child, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall utilize the financial statement required by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Determination of indigency; guidelines; statement of indigence; appointment of counsel" href="/19.2-159/">19.2-159</a>.
			In all other cases, except as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Involuntary commitment; duties of attorney for the minor" href="/16.1-343/">16.1-343</a>, <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> appointed to represent a child shall be compensated for his services pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Compensation of court-appointed counsel" href="/19.2-163/">19.2-163</a>. <a id="paragraph-260133" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-267/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> When <span class="dictionary">the court</span> appoints <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> to represent a parent, guardian, or other <span class="dictionary">adult</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Appointment of counsel and guardian ad litem" href="/16.1-266/">16.1-266</a>, such <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> shall be compensated for his services pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Compensation of court-appointed counsel" href="/19.2-163/">19.2-163</a>. When <span class="dictionary">the court</span> appoints <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> to represent a parent, guardian, or other <span class="dictionary">adult</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Appointment of counsel and guardian ad litem" href="/16.1-266/">16.1-266</a> in a child dependency case as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Standards for attorneys appointed as guardians ad litem; list of qualified attorneys; attorneys appointed for parents or guardians" href="/16.1-266.1/">16.1-266.1</a>, such <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> shall be compensated for his services in an amount not to exceed $330, except that in matters arising under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Termination of residual parental rights" href="/16.1-283/">16.1-283</a>, such <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> shall be compensated for his services in an amount not to exceed $680. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no court may <span class="dictionary">waive</span> the limitation of fees as set forth therein. <a id="paragraph-260134" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-267/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> 1. In any proceeding in which <span class="dictionary">the court</span> appoints a <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span> to represent a child pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Appointment of counsel and guardian ad litem" href="/16.1-266/">16.1-266</a>, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span> the parent, or other <span class="dictionary">party</span> with a legitimate interest who has filed a <span class="dictionary">petition</span> in such proceeding, to reimburse the Commonwealth the costs of such services in an amount not to exceed the amount awarded the <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span> by <span class="dictionary">the court</span>. If <span class="dictionary">the court</span> determines that such <span class="dictionary">party</span> is unable to pay, the required reimbursement may be reduced or eliminated. No <span class="dictionary">party</span> whom <span class="dictionary">the court</span> determines to be <span class="dictionary">indigent</span> pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Determination of indigency; guidelines; statement of indigence; appointment of counsel" href="/19.2-159/">19.2-159</a> shall be required to pay reimbursement except where <span class="dictionary">the court</span> finds good cause to do so. The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court shall administer the <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span> program and shall report August 1 and January 1 of each year to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations on the amounts paid for <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span> purposes, amounts reimbursed, savings achieved, and management actions taken to further enhance savings under this program. <a id="paragraph-260135" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-267/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> For good cause shown, or upon the failure by the <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span> to substantially comply with the standards adopted for attorneys appointed as guardians ad litem pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Standards for attorneys appointed as guardians ad litem; list of qualified attorneys; attorneys appointed for parents or guardians" href="/16.1-266.1/">16.1-266.1</a>, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> may adjust the cost sought by the <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span> of such services. <a id="paragraph-260136" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-267/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> For the purposes of this subsection, &#x201C;other <span class="dictionary">party</span> with a legitimate interest&#x201D; shall not include child welfare agencies or local <span class="dictionary">departments</span> of social services. <a id="paragraph-260137" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-267/#C3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 16.1-173; 1956, c. 555; 1966, c. 709; 1968, c. 581; 1970, c. 87; 1973, c. 440; 1974, c. 513; 1975, cc. 465, 559; 1977, c. 559; 1981, c. 213; 1984, c. 709; 1986, c. 425; 1993, c. 344; 2004, cc. 342, 437; 2017, c. 676; 2018, c. 688; 2024, c. 428.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
