Iowa Divorce Information and FAQ
Iowa law permits divorces based upon the breakdown of the marital
relationship to the extent that the legitimate objects of matrimony have
been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the
marriage can be preserved. 598.5
Residency requirements Iowa law requires either that the Respondent be
a resident of the State of Iowa, or, that the Plaintiff be a resident in
good faith of the State of Iowa for a minimum of one year immediately
prior to the filing of the petition for divorce. 598.6
Venue The petition for divorce may be filed in the county where either
party resides. 598.2
Name of court and title of the action/parties An action for divorce in
the State of Iowa is filed in the District Court. The title of the action
initiating the proceedings is referred to as the Petition, while the title
of the action granting the divorce is the Decree. The party who files the
action for divorce is referred to as the Petitioner, while the other party
is called the Respondent. 598.4
Legal separation Iowa law permits a judgment of separation to be
granted for the same grounds as for dissolution of marriage. 598.28
Waiting period There is a ninety-day waiting period from the filing of the
petition before the court will grant a judgment of dissolution of
marriage. 598.19
Alimony/support The courts may award alimony to either spouse for a
limited or indefinite time, after considering the following factors:
1. The length of the marriage. 2. The age and physical and emotional
health of the parties. 3. The distribution of property. 4. The educational
level of each party at the time of marriage and the time the action is
commenced. 5. The earning capacity of the party seeking support. 6. The
feasibility of the party seeking support becoming self-supporting. 7. The
tax consequences to each party. 8. Any mutual agreement between the
parties. 9. And any other relevant factors. 598.21
Distribution of property Iowa is an equitable distribution state. This
means that the court will divide the marital property between the parties
as it deems equitable and just, after setting aside to each spouse any
inherited property or gifts received by that party. Factors the court
considers in dividing the property between the parties include: 1. The
property brought to the marriage by each party. 2. The contribution of
each party to the marriage. 3. The age and physical and emotional health
of the parties. 4. The contribution by one party to the education,
training or increased earning power of the other party. 5. The earning
capacity of each party. 6. The desirability of awarding the family home to
the party having custody of the children. 7. Any other relevant factor.
598.21
Child custody Iowa courts will decide the issue of custody based upon
the best interests of the child, including liberal visitation rights where
appropriate, to insure the child the opportunity for the maximum
continuing physical and emotional contact with both parents, and which
will encourage parents to share the rights and responsibilities of raising
the child. Unless otherwise stated, each parent shall have equal rights to
information regarding such things as the child’s medical, educational
and law enforcement records.
A partial list of factors the court will consider in determining the
best interests of the child include:
1. Whether each parent would be a suitable custodian for the child. 2.
Whether the psychological and emotional needs and development of the child
will suffer due to lack of active contact with and attention from both
parents. 3. Whether the parents can communicate with each other regarding
the child’s needs. 4. Whether both parents have actively cared for the
child before and since the separation. 5. Whether each parent can support
the other parent’s relationship with the child. 6. Whether the custody
arrangement is in accord with the child’s wishes. 7. Whether one or both
parents agree or are opposed to joint custody. 8. The geographic proximity
of the parents. 9. Any other relevant factor. 598.41
Child support In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or legal
separation, the court may order either or both parties to pay a reasonable
amount necessary for the support of a child of the marriage. The Iowa
legislature has established child support guidelines which establish the
presumptive correct amount of child support. A variation from the
guidelines shall not be considered without a record or written finding,
based on stated reasons, that the guidelines would be unjust or
inappropriate. 598.21 Grandparent visitation The grandparents or
great-grandparent of a child may petition the court for visitation rights
when any of the following circumstances occur:
1. The parents of the child are divorced. 2. A petition for dissolution
of marriage has been filed by one of the child’s parents. 3. A parent of
the child has died. 4. The child has been placed in foster care. 5. The
parents of the child are divorced and the custodial parent is not the
child of the grandparent.
A petition for grandparent visitation shall be granted only upon a
finding that such visitation is in the child’s best interests and that
the party seeking visitation had established a substantial relationship
with the child prior to the filing of the petition. 598.35
Name change Upon request, the court may change the name of either party
to either the name appearing on the party’s birth certificate or to the
name used immediately prior to the marriage. 59
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