Get Help Filing for Divorce in Iowa

Protecting Your Rights, Future & Best Interests

When seeking a divorce, there are a few legal requirements that must be met in order to finalize the proceedings. Iowa is a no-fault state, which means that a spouse seeking a divorce does not have to prove that the other spouse caused the marriage to fail.

In order to file for divorce, one of the spouses must have been a state resident for at least 1 year and must complete a 90-day waiting period before the divorce becomes final.

What Are the Iowa Divorce Residency Requirements?

It’s a common misconception that you can only get divorced in that state that you were married in. This is simply not the case – even if you were married in another state, you can file for divorce in Iowa so long as you first meet a residency requirement.

The requirement states that:

• You and your spouse must be Iowa residents for at least one year prior to filing
• You must have lived in the county that you are filing for at least 90 days prior to filing

If you do not meet the residency requirement, your case will not be accepted, or it will eventually be dismissed.

Give our divorce attorneys a call (515) 305-3474 to schedule a free consultation with our experienced team of lawyers in Des Moines.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Iowa?

The waiting time for a divorce in Iowa strictly depends on when the paperwork has been filed in court. Once it has been documented and filed, there is a standard 90-day waiting period. The time from beginning to end may also vary if the court has a higher caseload or if there is a lack of available judges.

Is Iowa a 50/50 State for Divorce?

The state of Iowa is an "equitable distribution" state, which basically means that any property in a divorce is not divided 50/50; it is divided by what is deemed fair by the court.

Prenuptial agreements can determine property division before a divorce, and sometimes spouses can even amicably divide assets through mediation. If these cannot be done, a judge will rule based off of several factors including the length of marriage and earning capacity.

what happens if you sign a prenup and get divorced in iowA?

A prenuptial agreement, or "prenup," is a legal contract that is entered into by a couple before they get married. The purpose of a prenup is to set forth the terms of the couple's financial arrangement in the event that they get divorced. In Iowa, prenuptial agreements are governed by the Iowa Uniform Premarital Agreement Act.

If a couple gets divorced in Iowa and they have a prenup in place, the terms of the prenup will generally be enforced by the court, as long as the prenup is deemed to be valid and enforceable. In order to be valid and enforceable, a prenup must meet certain requirements under Iowa law, such as being in writing and signed by both parties.

If the prenup is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the court will not consider its terms when deciding issues related to property division, alimony, and other matters. Instead, the court will apply the state's laws on property division and alimony to the divorce case.