Iowa R. App. P. 6.201

As amended through April 29, 2024
Rule 6.201 - Petition on appeal in termination of parental rights and child in need of assistance proceedings under Iowa Code chapter 232
(1)Petition on appeal.
a.Trial counsel's obligation to prepare petition. The appellant's trial counsel must prepare the petition on appeal. Trial counsel may be relieved of this obligation by the district court only upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances.
b.Time for filing petition on appeal. A petition on appeal must be filed with the clerk of the supreme court within 15 days after the filing of the notice of appeal with the clerk of the district court or within 15 days after the filing of an order granting an interlocutory appeal. The time for filing a petition on appeal will not be extended.
c.Length; form; cover page. The petition on appeal may not exceed 20 pages, excluding the attachments required by rule 6.201(1) (e), and must be in the form prescribed by rule 6.1007. The cover page must contain:
(1) The caption of the case.
(2) The title of the document: "Petition on Appeal."
(3) The name of the court and judge whose decision is under review.
(4) The name, address, telephone number, and email address of counsel representing the appellant.
d.Contents of petition. The petition on appeal must substantially comply with rule 6.1401 -Form 5: Petition on Appeal (Cross-Appeal) (Child in Need of Assistance and Termination Cases).
e.Attachments to petition.
(1) In an appeal from an order or judgment in a child in need of assistance proceeding, the appellant must attach to the petition on appeal a copy of:
1. The order or judgment from which the appeal is taken.
2. Any ruling on a motion for new trial under Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.1004 or a motion under Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.904(2).
(2) In an appeal from an order terminating parental rights or dismissing the termination petition, the appellant must attach to the petition on appeal a copy of:
1. The petition for termination of parental rights and any amendments to the petition.
2. The order or judgment terminating parental rights or dismissing the termination petition.
3. Any ruling on a motion for new trial under Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.1004 or a motion under Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.904(2).
(3) In an appeal from a posttermination order, the appellant must attach to the petition on appeal a copy of:
1. The order or judgment terminating parental rights.
2. Any ruling on a motion for new trial under Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.1004 or a motion under Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.904(2).
3. Any motion requesting posttermination relief.
4. Any resistance to the request for posttermination relief.
5. The posttermination order from which the appeal is taken.
(2)Joinder disallowed. A party may not join in a petition on appeal that another party files separately.
(3)Consequence of failure to file timely petition on appeal. If the petition on appeal is not filed with the clerk of the supreme court within 15 days after the filing of a notice of appeal or within 15 days after the filing of an order granting an interlocutory appeal, the supreme court will dismiss the appeal, and the clerk will immediately issue procedendo.

Iowa. R. App. P. 6.201

Court Order October 31, 2008, effective 1/1/2009; March 5, 2013, effective 5/3/2013; Court Order November 18, 2016; effective 3/1/2017; effective 7/20/2017; Court Order September 29, 2023, effective 4/1/2024.