Iowa Divorce Laws & FAQ

Iowa recognizes “no-fault” divorce. In order to file for a divorce in Iowa, you must only cite that irreconcilable differences exist and there remains no likelihood of it being preserved for the marriage to be dissolved.

This is completely dependent on each case and the circumstances surrounding the same. The costs that could be included, as reported by the Iowa Supreme Court, are:

a) Filing fee — to start a divorce case ($185) – Iowa Code 602.8105(1)(a)

b) Final decree fee – at the end of the divorce case ($50) – Iowa Code 602.8105(1)(d)

c) Court reporting fee for each hearing in court ($40) – Iowa Code 625.8(2)

d) Certification of change of real estate title ($50) – Iowa Code 602.8105(2)(d)

It is recommended, though not required. Many litigants who represent themselves miss deadlines, fail to preserve their rights, or later realize that it costs a tremendous amount more by not being represented.

No.

Maintenance/support/alimony is determined on a case-by-case basis and is not based on gender. Both men and women may receive such an award.

Iowa is an “equitable distribution” state which means property is not always divided 50/50. Instead, property will be divided in a “fair and reasonable” manner if spouses are unable to reach a settlement themselves.

After you have lived in Iowa for at least one year with the purpose of making Iowa your permanent home and not for the sole purpose of obtaining a dissolution.

Every case is different. Therefore, the answer is “it depends.” The earliest a case can be over is 90 days:

No decree dissolving a marriage shall be granted in any proceeding before ninety days shall have elapsed from the day the original notice is served, or from the last day of publication of notice, or from the date that waiver or acceptance of original notice is filed or until after conciliation is completed, whichever period shall be longer. 598.19 Iowa Code.

While there is a 90 day waiting period between filing for divorce and when a divorce could be legally granted, Iowa does not have legal separation requirements.

An uncontested divorce is often the fastest, and cheapest, way to get a divorce in Iowa, and in most other states in the US.

This also “depends.” Some jurisdictions, if everything is agreed upon and all proper documentation is signed, will never require the parties to be present at court.

Please understand, although you do not “have” to attend court, you may want to in order to understand the process, present testimony in support of an issue, and ensure you have a chance to be heard. This is especially true in custody matters, or if you believe one party may claim they did not agree to a particular term in an order.

There are a few alternatives. If service by sheriff did not work, it may require using a civil process server. If service in a particular locale did not work, it may require service at another locale.

If after reasonable attempts at personal service are not fruitful, your divorce lawyer can ask the court for permission to serve via publication.

After the divorce is final one can remarry. It is final after the court signs and enters the order. One’s choice in dating is dependent on circumstances.

The court could order conciliation proceedings for 60 days. However, the court will not force a person to stay married.

The spouse that files for divorce, called the Petitioner, could take advantage of controlling when the divorce case starts, the timeline of serving divorce or custody papers, and the scheduling of initial court dates.

All must be decided and incorporated in the final Decree of Dissolution, or they must be tried and decided by the court.

This is ok, so long as one of you is a resident, submits to jurisdiction, and waive any rights you may have under The Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act (SCRA) or the former Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act (SSCRA).

This is changing due to migrating to an electronic filing system. However, the forms that are typically used are:

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage

Coversheet for a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage

Confidential Information Form

Original Notice for Personal Service

Acceptance of Service of Original Notice

Directions for Service of Original Notice

Motion and Affidavit to Serve by Publication (if you cannot serve)

Original Notice by Publication

Application and Affidavit to Defer Payment of Costs (if you cannot afford the divorce)

The complaint can be filed in the county where either party resides.

It is usually best to file where either the children are present or where real estate is present for ease and jurisdictional issues which may present themselves.

Fault is not relevant in Iowa for the purposes of obtaining a dissolution.

However, whether a spouse has a paramour, in very particular situations, may be relevant for the proof of dissipation of assets or whether the acts committed were egregious enough to warrant not awarding a party custody of minor children.

This information comes directly from the Iowa Supreme Court website:

If the child is fourteen years of age or older, you must provide the child’s written consent to the name change. If the child is under fourteen years old, both parents named on the birth certificate must file their written consent to the name change.

If one parent does not consent, the court will set a hearing. At the hearing, the court may waive the need for both parents’ consent if it finds one of the following:

The parent has abandoned the child.

The parent has failed, without good cause, to support the child or contribute financially for the child’s birth.

The parent does not object to the name change after receiving proper notice.

It depends. According to Iowa laws, no specified period of time must pass, but the parties must:

1. Have an agreement they are married
2. Must live together as partners
3. Publicly act and display their “marriage”

Only the court can determine if the parties are married and only the court can dissolve a common law marriage.