M.M. v. K.P.

WALLACE, Judge.

M.M., the Birth Mother, appeals from a judgment terminating her parental rights to her one child in conjunction with a proceeding for a stepparent adoption under chapter 63, Florida Statutes (2016). Because the trial court erred by failing to rule on the Birth Mother’s timely filed motion for appointment of counsel, we reverse the judgment and remand for a new proceeding.

I. THE FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Because we reverse' on a narrow procedural ground, a detailed recitation of the underlying facts is unnecessary. It suffices to say that, following the dissolution of the…