Honorable Harold V. Dutton, Jr., Chair, House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB730 by Bohac (Relating to a disclosure by an attorney before accepting representation of a client in a suit for the dissolution of marriage.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Family Code to require an attorney, before agreeing to represent a client in a suit for dissolution of marriage, to disclose information about arbitration, mediation, collaborative law, and alternatives to retaining an attorney for the purpose of dissolving a marriage. The bill would require the State Bar of Texas to adopt a disclosure form and the attorney would be required to obtain a written acknowledgment from the client that the form has been received and the disclosure understood. Based on the analysis of the Office of Court Administration, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council