600A.1 Construction. 1. This chapter shall be construed liberally. The best interest of the child subject to the proceedings of this chapter shall be the paramount consideration in interpreting this chapter. However, the interests of the parents of this child or any natural person standing in the place of the parents to this child shall […]
600A.10 Termination procedures — prohibited practices — penalty for violation. 1. Any biological parent who chooses to identify the other biological parent and who knowingly and intentionally identifies a person who is not the other biological parent in the written release of custody or in any other document related to the termination of parental rights […]
600A.2 Definitions. As used in this chapter: 1. “Adoption service provider” means an agency or a licensed attorney. 2. “Adult” means a person who is married or eighteen years of age or older. 3. “Agency” means a child-placing agency as defined in section 238.1. 4. “Biological parent” means a parent who has been a biological […]
600A.2A Rights and duties of custodian. 1. The rights and duties of a custodian with respect to a child shall be as follows: a. To maintain or transfer to another the physical possession of that child. b. To protect, train, and discipline that child. c. To provide food, clothing, housing, and ordinary medical care for […]
600A.2B Rights and duties of guardian. Unless otherwise enlarged or circumscribed by a court or juvenile court having jurisdiction over the minor child or by operation of law, the rights and duties of a guardian with respect to a minor child shall be as follows: 1. To consent to marriage, enlistment in the armed forces […]
600A.3 Exclusivity. 1. Termination of parental rights shall be accomplished only according to the provisions of this chapter. However, termination of parental rights between an adult child and the child’s parents may be accomplished by a decree of adoption establishing a new parent-child relationship. 2. If a proceeding held under this chapter involves an Indian […]
600A.4 Relationship unaltered — release of custody — voluntariness of release. 1. A parent shall not permanently alter the parent-child relationship, except as ordered by a juvenile court or court. However, custody of a minor child may be assumed by a stepparent or a relative of that child within the fourth degree of consanguinity or […]
600A.5 Petition for termination — venue — safety or security concerns. 1. The following persons may petition a juvenile court for termination of parental rights under this chapter if the child of the parent-child relationship is born or expected to be born within one hundred eighty days of the date of petition filing: a. A […]
600A.6 Notice of termination hearing. 1. A termination of parental rights under this chapter shall, unless provided otherwise in this section, be ordered only after notice has been served on all necessary parties and these parties have been given an opportunity to be heard before the juvenile court except that notice need not be served […]
600A.6A Right to and appointment of counsel. 1. Upon the filing of a petition for termination of parental rights under this chapter, the parent identified in the petition shall have the right to counsel in connection with all subsequent hearings and proceedings. 2. If the parent against whom the petition is filed desires but is […]
600A.6B Payment of attorney fees. 1. A person filing a petition for termination of parental rights under this chapter shall be responsible for the payment of reasonable attorney fees for services provided by counsel appointed pursuant to section 600A.6A in juvenile court or in an appellate proceeding initiated by the person filing the petition unless […]
600A.6C Report of expenditures — penalty. 1. a. A biological parent shall not receive any thing of value as a result of the biological parent terminating the parent’s parental rights, unless that thing of value is an allowable expense under subsection 2. b. Any person assisting in any way with the termination of parental rights […]
600A.7 Termination hearing — forum non conveniens. 1. The hearing on termination of parental rights shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of sections 232.91 through 232.96 and otherwise in accordance with the rules of civil procedure. Such hearing shall be held no earlier than one week after the child is born. 2. Relevant […]
600A.8 Grounds for termination. The juvenile court shall base its findings and order under section 600A.9 on clear and convincing proof. The following shall be, either separately or jointly, grounds for ordering termination of parental rights: 1. A parent has signed a release of custody pursuant to section 600A.4 and the release has not been […]
600A.9 Termination findings and order — vacation of order. 1. Subsequent to the hearing on termination of parental rights under this chapter, the juvenile court shall make a finding of facts and shall: a. Order the petition dismissed; or, b. Order the petition granted. The juvenile court shall appoint a guardian and a custodian or […]
