Iowa Stand. Prac. Lawy. Repre. Child. Cust. Case. II

As amended through September 9, 2024

Rule II - Scope and Definitions

A. Scope

These Standards apply to the appointment and performance of lawyers serving as advocates for children or their interests in any case where temporary or permanent legal custody, physical custody, parenting plans, parenting time, access, or visitation are adjudicated, including but not limited to divorce, custody, domestic violence, contested adoptions, and contested private guardianship cases.

B. Definitions

1. "Child's Attorney": A lawyer who provides independent legal counsel for a child, and who owes the same duties of undivided loyalty, confidentiality, and competent representation as are due an adult client.

2. "Guardian ad Litem": A lawyer who provides independent legal services for the purpose of protecting a child's best interests without being bound by the child's directives or objectives.

Iowa. Stand. Prac. Lawy. Repre. Child. Cust. Case. II

Commentary

[1] A lawyer should be either a Child's Attorney or a Guardian ad Litem, not both. The duties common to both roles are found in Part III of these Standards. The unique duties of each are described separately in Parts IV and V. The essential distinction between the two lawyer roles is that the Guardian ad Litem investigates and advocates the best interests of the child as a lawyer in the litigation, while the Child's Attorney is a lawyer who represents the child as a client. Neither kind of lawyer is a witness. Form should follow function in deciding which kind of lawyer to appoint. The role and duties of the lawyer should be tailored to the reasons for the appointment and the needs of the child.

[2] The role of "Guardian ad Litem" has become muddled through different usages in different states, with varying connotations. It is a venerable legal concept that has often been stretched beyond recognition to serve fundamentally new functions, such as parenting coordinator, referee, facilitator, arbitrator, evaluator, mediator, and advocate. Asking one Guardian ad Litem to perform several roles at once, to be all things to all people, is a messy, ineffective expedient. A court seeking expert or lay opinion testimony, written reports, or other nontraditional services should appoint an individual for that purpose, such as a Child and Family Reporter (CFR), and make clear that that person is not serving as a lawyer and is not a party. This person can be either a nonlawyer or a lawyer who chooses to serve in a volunteer nonlawyer capacity.