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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a disclosure by an attorney before accepting |
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representation of a client in a suit for the dissolution of |
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marriage. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 6, Family Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 6.412 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 6.412. DISCLOSURE REQUIRED. (a) An attorney may not |
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agree to represent a client in a suit for dissolution of a marriage |
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unless: |
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(1) the attorney provides the disclosure described by |
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Subsection (b) to the client; and |
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(2) the client acknowledges in writing that the client |
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has received and understands the disclosure. |
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(b) The State Bar of Texas shall adopt the disclosure form |
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required under this section. The disclosure must include: |
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(1) information about arbitration, mediation, |
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collaborative law, and alternatives to retaining an attorney for |
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the dissolution of a marriage; and |
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(2) any other information the state bar requires. |
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SECTION 2. (a) The State Bar of Texas shall adopt the |
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disclosure form required by Section 6.412, Family Code, as added by |
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this Act, not later than January 1, 2016. |
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(b) Section 6.412, Family Code, as added by this Act, |
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applies to the representation of a client that begins on or after |
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March 1, 2016. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |