Ensuring individuals have a right to effective counsel when facing the loss of their basic human needs in the civil legal system.

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Iowa

Categorical Right To Counsel
Discretionary Appointment Of Counsel
Right Or Appointment Is Qualified
No Such Proceeding
No Authorization, But Relevant Materials
Other
What do these terms mean?
Recent Activity
Right to Counsel Status
Doesn't Affect

Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Accused Parents

Legislation

June 15, 2020
Iowa pilot will allow early appointment of counsel for parents
A bill passed in 2020 will allow the public defender to appoint counsel for parents prior to formal dependency proceedings.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
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.
Doesn't Affect

Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Children

Legislation

March 31, 2025
HF373
Requires the appointment of counsel for youth age 10 and older. A child younger than 10 would be appointed counsel and a GAL.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
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.
April 3, 2025
HF953
Requires the appointment of counsel for youth age 10 and older. A child younger than 10 would be appointed counsel and a GAL.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
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.
Discretionary

Custody Disputes - Children

Legislation

Key Development
? While a state may have many statutes, court decisions, or court rules governing appointment of counsel for a particular subject area, a "Key Development" is a statute/decision/rule that prevails over the others (example: a state high court decision finding a categorical right to counsel in guardianships cases takes precedence over a statute saying appointment in guardianship cases is discretionary).
April 5, 2017
Iowa enacts law separating GAL and attorney roles for children in custody cases
A 2017 law separates the role of guardian ad litem and attorney for children in custody cases.
Read More
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.
Doesn't Affect

Domestic Violence - Alleged Victim

Pilot

September 26, 2016
NIJ study released on effect of counsel for DV victims
A study on the impact of providing counsel for DV victims was conducted by the University of Iowa and Iowa Legal Aid.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
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.
Discretionary

Guardianship/Conservatorship of Children - Child (incomplete)

Legislation

Key Development
? While a state may have many statutes, court decisions, or court rules governing appointment of counsel for a particular subject area, a "Key Development" is a statute/decision/rule that prevails over the others (example: a state high court decision finding a categorical right to counsel in guardianships cases takes precedence over a statute saying appointment in guardianship cases is discretionary).
May 2, 2019
Iowa adds discretionary appointment of counsel for kids in guardianship cases
If the court finds that a minor's interests are or may be inadequately represented, it shall appoint counsel.
Read More
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.
Categorical

Guardianship/Conservatorship of Children - Parent or Guardian

Legislation

Key Development
? While a state may have many statutes, court decisions, or court rules governing appointment of counsel for a particular subject area, a "Key Development" is a statute/decision/rule that prevails over the others (example: a state high court decision finding a categorical right to counsel in guardianships cases takes precedence over a statute saying appointment in guardianship cases is discretionary).
May 2, 2019
Iowa adds right to counsel for parents in guardianship cases
Indigent objecting parents have the right to counsel upon request in minor guardianship matters.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Yes
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.
Doesn't Affect

Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Birth Parents

Legislation

January 1, 2014
Right to counsel
There is a right to counsel for parents in private adoption proceedings.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
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.
Categorical

Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Accused Parents

Qualified

Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Children

Categorical

Adult Protective Proceedings - Protected Person

Categorical

Bypass of Parental Input into Abortion - Minor (Pre-Dobbs)

Categorical

Civil Commitment

Discretionary

Custody Disputes - Children

Categorical

Guardianship/Conservatorship of Adults - Protected Person

Discretionary

Guardianship/Conservatorship of Children - Child (incomplete)

Categorical

Guardianship/Conservatorship of Children - Parent or Guardian

Discretionary

Housing - Discrimination

Categorical

Involuntary Medical Treatment (incomplete)

Discretionary

Issues Related to Incarcerated People

Qualified

Other subject area

Categorical

Sexually Dangerous Persons - Commitment

Qualified

Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Birth Parents

Qualified

Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Children

Categorical

Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Birth Parents

Qualified

Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Children

No Such Proceeding

Truancy - Petition Against Child

© 2003-2024 National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel

The NCCRC works to advance the right to counsel for low-income people in civil cases involving basic human needs, such as housing, health, domestic violence, civil incarceration, and child custody.

About Us
Mission & Vision Our Team Our Work Funders & Supporters Contact
About Civil RTC
History CRTC Champions FAQ
News
Resource Library
Status Map Bibliographies Advocacy Tools Key Issue: Tenant RTC
Get Involved
Donate
Status Map