Iowa · Family
The Iowa Family Law Guide
A Guide to Iowa's Divorce Requirements, Child Custody Laws, Property Division, and Support.
2026-2027 Edition · Cited to Iowa law · Plain language
Paperback · $19.99
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Cited to the statute · Legal information, not legal advice
How dissolution of marriage and custody cases work in Iowa
No-fault grounds, the 90-day waiting period, legal custody and physical care, child support guidelines, and how Iowa divides property.
ABOUT THIS BOOK
In Iowa, divorce is called dissolution of marriage, and it is handled in the Iowa District Court under Iowa Code Chapter 598. The Iowa Family Law Guide explains how the process works, from the petition to the final decree.
The guide starts with what Iowa does not recognize: fault as a basis for divorce, an automatic 50/50 property split, a presumption of sole custody, or one spouse's power to stop a divorce by refusing to agree. It then covers the breakdown-of-the-marriage standard, residency and venue, the 90-day waiting period after service, and the mandatory parenting course.
Inside, the guide explains:
• The best-interest-of-the-child factors and the goal of maximum contact with both parents
• The difference between joint legal custody and physical care
• How the Iowa Child Support Guidelines set support
• Equitable distribution, including how gifts and inheritances are treated
• The factors courts weigh for spousal support
• Mediation, temporary orders, financial affidavits, and the decree
The guide is written for both sides of a case: the spouse or parent who files and the co-parent or other spouse who responds. Checklists, comparison tables, a glossary, and questions to ask an attorney round out the Toolkit.
Legal information, not legal advice.
WHAT’S INSIDE
- The Foundation: Iowa's No-Fault Approach to Divorce
- The Parties, the Petition, and the Court
- Core Legal Concepts in Iowa Divorce and Custody
- Mandatory Procedures and Timelines
- Exceptions, Defenses, and Special Circumstances
- Rights of the Co-Parent or Other Spouse
- Step-by-step procedures from each side, with deadlines at a glance
- 24 real-world questions and answers
- Statute index, key court decisions and official forms
- Toolkit: checklists, comparison tables, glossary and common mistakes to avoid
WHY READERS TRUST THIS GUIDE
Plain language. Cited to the statute. Dated so you know it is current.
Every rule is cited to Iowa law so you can verify it.
Cited, so you can check it
Every rule names the section of Iowa law it comes from, so you can read the source yourself.
Plain language, no filler
Written to be read start to finish by someone with no legal training, with worked examples.
Dated and updated
Each guide carries a law-current date and new editions ship when the law changes.
Bonus toolkit
Register your book for this topic’s checklists, worksheets and starter template, as soon as they are ready.
QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY
Iowa divorce process: what to know before you order.
Straight answers about what the guide is, what it covers and how it reaches you.
How long does a divorce take in Iowa?
A final decree generally cannot be entered until at least 90 days after the Respondent is served. Cases can take longer if property or custody issues remain open. The guide explains each stage.
What is the difference between legal custody and physical care in Iowa?
Legal custody covers major decisions such as education and medical care. Physical care covers the child's primary home and daily care. The guide explains joint and sole arrangements.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is legal information in plain language, cited to the law, so you understand your options and know what to ask. Reading it creates no attorney-client relationship.
Is it written for Iowa?
Yes. This guide is written for Iowa law and cites the Iowa statutes and rules it relies on. If your case is in another state, choose that state's edition.
KEEP GOING
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PLEASE READ
Legal information, not legal advice. STACKED LEGAL® is a publisher, not a law firm. Buying or reading this book creates no attorney-client relationship and promises no outcome. Laws change; verify current law and talk to a licensed attorney in Iowa about your situation.
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