Discretionary appointment for unrepresented interested person in probate matter

Iowa , Legislation , Other subject area

When an estate is being probated, “the court, in its discretion, may appoint some competent attorney to represent any interested person who has been served with notice and who is otherwise unrepresented,” and the attorney’s appointment “shall be in lieu of appointment of a guardian ad litem.” Iowa Code § 633.118.

It is unclear from the probate code or case law how broadly the court can exercise its discretion (i.e., whether the individual “otherwise unrepresented” must make a showing of indigence, incompetence or some other attribute to be entitled to court-appointed counsel).

Appointment of Counsel: Discretionary
Qualified: No
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.