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.
598.37
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