Residency Requirements

There are no residency requirements for the filing spouse if the respondent spouse is a resident of Iowa and has been personally served with the petition for the dissolution of marriage. Generally, however, a spouse filing for divorce in the State of Iowa must have been a resident for one year.

Grounds

The only ground for dissolution of marriage in the State of Iowa is the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

Child Custody

The parties may agree to either joint or sole legal and physical custody of their child(ren). Legal custody gives a parent the right to participate in decision-making involving the children. The court may award either joint or sole legal custody in a contested situation. The court will determine physical custody for the child, each in accordance with the best interests of the child.

The court may take many aspects of the case into consideration when determining custody of the child, including the wishes of the parents and the child, and the geographic proximity of the parents.

Child Support

Iowa’s child support guidelines apply in virtually every case, unless special circumstances are present. Both parties’ gross incomesThe child support calculation takes into consideration the gross income of both parties, and certain child related expenses. Child support will continue until the child reaches the age of majority or completes high school, and may be extended through his or her college education.

Venue

Venue lies in the county of either party.

Mediation

The court shall determine in each domestic relations proceeding whether the parties shall participate in mediation to attempt to resolve differences without court intervention. The court may order participation in mediation at any time prior to the entering of a final order or the granting of a final decree.

Filing Fees

Court filing fees are in addition to the cost of using CompleteCase.com. This cost may vary by county. Please check with your local courthouse to determine the exact amount.