1. Subsequent to the hearing on termination of parental rights under this chapter, the juvenile court shall make a finding of facts and shall do one of the following:

 a. Order the petition dismissed.
 b. Order the petition granted. The juvenile court shall appoint a guardian and a custodian or a guardian only. An order issued under this paragraph shall include the finding of facts. Such finding shall specify the factual basis for terminating the parent-child relationship and shall specify the ground or grounds upon which the termination is ordered.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 600A.9

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Biological parent: means a parent who has been a biological party to the procreation of the child. See Iowa Code 600A.2
  • Child: means a son or daughter of a parent, whether by birth or adoption. See Iowa Code 600A.2
  • clerk: means clerk of the court in which the action or proceeding is brought or is pending; and the words "clerk's office" mean the office of that clerk. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Court: means a district court. See Iowa Code 600A.2
  • Custodian: means a stepparent or a relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity to a minor child who has assumed responsibility for that child, a person who has accepted a release of custody, or a person appointed by a court or juvenile court having jurisdiction over a child. See Iowa Code 600A.2
  • Department: means the state department of human services or its subdivisions. See Iowa Code 600A.2
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Guardian: means a person who is not the parent of a minor child, but who has been appointed by a court or juvenile court having jurisdiction over the minor child to make important decisions which have permanent effect on the life and development of that child and to promote the general welfare of that child. See Iowa Code 600A.2
  • Guardian ad litem: means a person appointed by a court or juvenile court having jurisdiction over the minor child to represent that child in a legal action. See Iowa Code 600A.2
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Juvenile court: means the juvenile court established by section 602. See Iowa Code 600A.2
  • Parent: means a father or mother of a child, whether by birth or adoption. See Iowa Code 600A.2
  • Parent-child relationship: means the relationship between a parent and a child recognized by the law as conferring certain rights and privileges and imposing certain duties. See Iowa Code 600A.2
  • State: includes any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any territory or possession subject to the legislative authority of the United States. See Iowa Code 633D.2
  • Termination of parental rights: means a complete severance and extinguishment of a parent-child relationship between one or both living parents and the child. See Iowa Code 600A.2
 2. If an order is issued under subsection 1, paragraph “b” of this section, the juvenile court shall retain jurisdiction to change a guardian or custodian and to allow a terminated parent or any putative biological parent to request vacation or appeal of the termination order which request must be made within thirty days of issuance of the granting of the order. The period for request by a terminated parent or by a putative biological parent for vacation or appeal shall not be waived or extended and a vacation or appeal shall not be granted after the expiration of this period. The juvenile court shall grant the vacation request only if it is in the best interest of the child. The supreme court shall prescribe rules to establish a period of thirty days, which shall not be waived or extended, in which a terminated or putative biological parent may request a vacation or appeal of a termination order.
 3. If an order is issued under subsection 1, paragraph “b”, the juvenile court shall have jurisdiction to allow an adoptive parent to request termination of the adoptive parent’s parental rights and of the parent-child relationship based upon a showing that the adoption was fraudulently induced and to request that the order issued under subsection 1, paragraph “b”, be vacated. The juvenile court shall grant the termination and vacation requests only after the parent whose rights have been terminated is given an opportunity to contest the vacation of the termination order and only if the termination of the adoptive parent’s parental rights and the vacation of the termination order are in the best interest of the child.
 4. A copy of any order made under this section shall be sent by the clerk of the juvenile court to:

 a. The department.
 b. The petitioner.
 c. The parents whose rights have been terminated if they request such copies.
 d. Any guardian, custodian, or guardian ad litem of the child.
 e. The state registrar for the purposes of section 144.13A, subsection 2.
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