Get Free Answers From Experienced Lawyers!
Have a Legal Question?
Q: Can I request a court-appointed attorney for a custody modification in Iowa?
I had custody of my children for 6 years before the court granted custody to their father. The court claimed I wasn't supporting their relationship with their dad because the children refused to go to his house during his scheduled time. I'm seeking a modification to regain custody. Can I request a court-appointed attorney for assistance in my case?
Related Topics:
1
Lawyer Answer
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
In Iowa, court-appointed attorneys are typically reserved for criminal cases or situations involving abuse or neglect where the state is involved. For custody modification cases between parents, the court usually does not provide a court-appointed attorney. These are considered civil matters, and unless your case includes elements like child protective services or a juvenile court action, you would generally need to hire an attorney on your own.
That said, if you meet certain income requirements, you may be able to apply for legal aid or request reduced-cost legal services through nonprofit organizations. Some counties may also have family law self-help centers or volunteer legal clinics where you can get guidance on how to file for custody modification and what forms to complete. It’s worth checking with the court clerk in your county to see if such resources are available.
If you believe that the court made its previous decision based on a misunderstanding, gathering new evidence and documenting efforts to support the father-child relationship can help strengthen your case. You have the right to ask for a modification if there has been a significant change in circumstances. While the process may be challenging without an attorney, knowing your rights and using community resources can help you move forward with your petition.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
