Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 232.38 (2026)

Presence of parents at hearings

✓ current as of July 2026

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1. Any hearings or proceedings under this subchapter subsequent to the filing of a petition shall not take place without the presence of one or both of the child’s parents, guardian, or custodian except that a hearing or proceeding may take place without such presence if the parent, guardian, or custodian fails to appear after reasonable notification, or if the court finds that a reasonably diligent effort has been made to notify the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian, and the effort was unavailing.

2. In any such hearings or proceedings the court may temporarily excuse the presence of the parent, guardian, or custodian when the court deems it in the best interests of the child. Counsel for the parent, guardian, or custodian shall have the right to participate in a hearing or proceeding during the absence of the parent, guardian, or custodian. [SS15, §254-a16; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §3631; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §232.15; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §232.11, 232.30; C79, 81, §232.38] 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §94; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §596 Referred to in §232.91 \n

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 18 cases, 1986–2018 · leading case: State of Iowa v. Iowa Dist. Court for Warren Cnty., 828 N.W.2d 607 (Iowa 2013).

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State of Iowa v. Iowa Dist. Court for Warren Cnty., 828 N.W.2d 607 (Iowa 2013). · cites it 8× “See Iowa Code § 232.38 . The consent decree and subsequent orders relating to residential treatment did not change this custody arrangement.”

In the Interest of M.D., K.T., G.A., E.A. & S.A., Minor Child., 921 N.W.2d 229 (Iowa 2018). · cites it 2× “§ 232.38(2). This confirms that the best interests of the child ought to prevail in the event of any conflict with a parent’s asserted right of attendance.”

In the Interest of A.H., 549 N.W.2d 824 (Iowa 1996). · cites it 10× “But see Iowa Code § 232.38 (2) (court may excuse presence of parent when deemed in best interest of child).”

State v. Lyle, 854 N.W.2d 378 (Iowa 2014). “§ 232.38(2) (permitting the district court to excuse temporarily the presence of the child’s parents “when the court deems it in the best interests of the child”); id.”

In the Interest of D.J.R., 454 N.W.2d 838 (Iowa 1990). · cites it 2× “Iowa Code section 232.38(2), by its terms, applies only to juvenile delinquency proceedings.”

In the Interest of J.L.L., 414 N.W.2d 133 (Iowa 1987). · cites it 4× “91 provides that any hearings or proceedings shall not take place without the presence of the child’s parent, guardian, custodian or guardian ad litem in accordance with and subject to section 232.38. Finally, section 232.38(1) states: Any hearings or proceedings under this…”

In the Interest of C.L.C., 798 N.W.2d 329 (Iowa Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 2× “See Iowa Code § 232.38 (1) ("Any hearings or proceedings under this division subsequent to the filing of a petition shall not take place without the presence of one or both of the child's parents, guardian or custodian.”

In the Interest of J.F., 386 N.W.2d 149 (Iowa Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 2× “Pursuant to Iowa Code section 232.38, the children’s parents were entitled to reasonable notice of these proceedings.”

In the Interest of J.K., Minor Child, J.K., Minor Child, 873 N.W.2d 289 (Iowa Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 2× “See generally Iowa Code § 232.38 (parents have a right to attend hearings), § 232.”

In the Interest of T.M.C., 429 N.W.2d 165 (Iowa Ct. App. 1988). · cites it 2× “91 provides as follows: Any hearings or proceedings under this division subsequent to the filing of a petition shall not take place without the presence of the child’s parent, guardian, custodian, or guardian ad litem in accordance with and subject to section 232.38. A parent…”

In the Interest of M.H., R.H., L.H., & C.H., Minor Child., D.H., Mother, R.H., Father, 877 N.W.2d 139 (Iowa Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “Iowa Code section 232.38 (2015) authorizes a court to “temporarily excuse the presence of the parent, guardian or custodian when the court deems it in the best interests of the child.”

In the Interest of N.H., Minor Child, S.H., Father (Iowa Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 6× “Iowa Code § 232.38 (1)–(2); see also id. § 232.”

Show all 18 citing cases →

— Iowa Code § 232.38(1) — 5 cases

State of Iowa v. Iowa Dist. Court for Warren Cnty., 828 N.W.2d 607 (Iowa 2013). “See Iowa Code § 232.38 . The consent decree and subsequent orders relating to residential treatment did not change this custody arrangement.”

In the Interest of J.L.L., 414 N.W.2d 133 (Iowa 1987). “91 provides that any hearings or proceedings shall not take place without the presence of the child’s parent, guardian, custodian or guardian ad litem in accordance with and subject to section 232.38. Finally, section 232.38(1) states: Any hearings or proceedings under this…”

In the Interest of A.H., 549 N.W.2d 824 (Iowa 1996). “But see Iowa Code § 232.38 (2) (court may excuse presence of parent when deemed in best interest of child).”

In the Interest of J.C., Minor Child (Iowa Ct. App. 2018).

In the Interest of A.L., Minor Child, J.W., Father (Iowa Ct. App. 2014).

— Iowa Code § 232.38(2) — 6 cases

In the Interest of M.D., K.T., G.A., E.A. & S.A., Minor Child., 921 N.W.2d 229 (Iowa 2018). “§ 232.38(2). This confirms that the best interests of the child ought to prevail in the event of any conflict with a parent’s asserted right of attendance.”

In the Interest of D.J.R., 454 N.W.2d 838 (Iowa 1990). “Iowa Code section 232.38(2), by its terms, applies only to juvenile delinquency proceedings.”

In the Interest of A.H., 549 N.W.2d 824 (Iowa 1996). “But see Iowa Code § 232.38 (2) (court may excuse presence of parent when deemed in best interest of child).”

State of Iowa v. Andre Jerome Lyle Jr. (Iowa 2014).

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