Important Notice Regarding Legal Representation

Rhode Island law recently changed as it pertains to the attorneys who are employed by the Office of Child Support Services (CSE). Effective December 1, 2002 you should know:

1. The Office of Child Support Services attorney DOES NOT represent you or your personal interest; and there is no attorney-non-custodial parent relationship between you and the attorney, between you and the Office of Child Support Services or any employees thereof. Any information you provide is not privileged and may not be treated as confidential, except as provided by law.
2. The attorney only represents the Rhode Island CSE. You may be required to appear as a witness in court. Your failure to appear in court when ordered, or served with a witness subpoena, may result in your being defaulted or could result in your arrest.
3. Attorneys working for the CSE will not become involved in custody and visitation issues between a child's parents or other family members. You need to obtain your own legal representation if custody or visitation becomes an issue in your child support case, or you may represent yourself.
4. CSE attorneys will still be in court daily to represent the State's interest in all child support cases, including yours, whether or not you receive public assistance. This includes establishment of paternity and establishment and enforcement of child support and medical support orders. In addition, either the custodial parent or non-custodial parent may receive State administered child support services, other than legal representation. However, either party may hire private counsel if desired.
5. Even if the CSE attorney legally represented you in the past, they will no longer be legally representing you after December 1, 2002. You have the option of retaining private legal counsel or signing a "Waiver Regarding Legal Representation" and continue to receive child support services. No further court proceedings will be initiated by this agency until the waiver is signed. PLEASE NOTE THAT BY SIGNING THE WAIVER YOU ARE WAIVING LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN ALL YOUR CHILD SUPPORT CASES WITH OUR AGENCY.
6. If you want to hire a private attorney, you may call the Rhode Island Bar Association Lawyer Referral Program at (401) 421-7758 or hire any attorney you choose.

See "Waiver Regarding Legal Representation". If you choose to sign the waiver you must return it to the address shown)