Opinion ID: 1593668
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Neylans' Motion to Dismiss Appeal.

Text: Neylans have moved to dismiss this appeal, asserting it is now moot because their claim for attorney fees has been tried to the court and resulted in a judgment which Mosers have paid. They contend: A decision in favor of Mosers would result in their counterclaim being remanded to the district court as a counterclaim to an action which has been decided. The only authority they cite, however, is State v. Wilson, 234 N.W.2d 140 (Iowa 1975), which is inapposite. In Wilson, we dismissed as moot a former prisoner's request to have work release privileges reinstated. Id. at 141. That case presented no justiciable controversy because the prisoner's release from jail had made the issue academic. Here, in contrast, judgment on the Neylans' cause of action does not necessarily make the Mosers' counterclaim academic. Claims or counterclaims may be disposed of by partial summary judgment or even tried separately, resulting in separate judgments in the same action. See Mason City Production Credit Association v. Van Duzer, 376 N.W.2d 882, 887 (Iowa 1985) (suggesting that a summary judgment court should stay execution on a partial summary judgment when counterclaim issues remain to be tried); Iowa R.Civ.P. 186 (court may order separate trial of any claim, counterclaim or cross-claim). It is true that a party may waive its right to appeal by accepting the benefits of a decree. A party who accepts material and substantial benefits under a judgment or decree may not ordinarily challenge the provisions under which benefits are awarded. Johnson v. Johnson, 301 N.W.2d 750, 752 (Iowa 1981); In re Marriage of Abild, 243 N.W.2d 541, 542-43 (Iowa 1976). The party relying on such an appellate waiver doctrine, however, has the burden to demonstrate a voluntary and knowing waiver. Johnson, 301 N.W.2d at 753. While Neylans have shown that a judgment was entered in their favor and paid, the record is devoid of evidence of the surrounding circumstances and does not show a voluntary and knowing waiver by Mosers. We have jurisdiction to decide this appeal.