Iowa enacts law separating GAL and attorney roles for children in custody cases
04/05/2017, Legislation, Custody Disputes - Children
HB 133, enacted in 2017, changes the law in Iowa as to representatives of children during dissolution of marriage or domestic relations proceedings.
Under the new law, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child’s best interests and such GAL must be a practicing attorney. Iowa Code § 598.12. Additionally, a new section provides that the court may appoint a separate attorney for the child to represent the child’s legal interests. Iowa Code § 598.12A. Both § 598.12 and § 598.12A specify that the same person cannot fulfill both of these roles
Appointment of Counsel:
discretionary
Qualified:
no
