Meldrum v. Novotny

KONENKAMP, Justice.

[¶ 1.] This is a child custody dispute between the mother’s boyfriend and the biological father. T.M., a nine-year-old, had been living with his mother and her boyfriend for six years. After the mother was killed in an automobile accident, the boyfriend, who had been caring for the child, sought to obtain custody. The circuit court declined to appoint an attorney for the child. Following its decision granting custody to the biological father, the court then granted the child’s pro se request for an attorney. The newly appointed attorney moved for a new trial. Although the…