1. The court may appoint an attorney to represent the interests of the minor child or children of the parties. The attorney shall be empowered to make independent investigations and to cause witnesses to appear and testify before the court on matters pertinent to the interests of the children.
2. The court may require that the department of human services or an appropriate agency make an investigation of both parties regarding the home conditions, parenting capabilities, and other matters pertinent to the best interests of the child or children in a dispute concerning custody of the child or children. The investigation report completed by the department of human services or an appropriate agency shall be submitted to the court and available to both parties. The investigation report completed by the department of human services or an appropriate agency shall be a part of the record unless otherwise ordered by the court.
3. The court shall enter an order in favor of the attorney, the department of human services, or an appropriate agency for fees and disbursements, which amount shall be charged against the party responsible for court costs unless the court determines that the party responsible for costs is indigent in which event the fees shall be borne by the county.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, § 598.12; 82 Acts, ch 1250, § 3]
83 Acts, ch 96, § 157, 159
Referred to in § 598.11, 598.16
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