Statutory Reference to Iowa Code Annotated:

Divorce: §§ 598.5, 598.6

Property Division: § 598.21

Alimony: § 598.211

Custody: § 598.41

Visitation: § 598.35

Child Support: Child Support Guidelines set by Iowa Supreme Court rule. 

 

Residence:

The complainant must live in the jurisdiction one year.

 

Grounds:

Divorce may be granted upon breakdown of the marriage 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.

 

Distribution of Property:

Equitable distribution of marital property.  Marital property is property acquired during the marriage except that acquired by gift or bequest.  In its equitable division, the court shall consider (1) the length of the marriage; (2) the property brought to the marriage by each party; (3) the contribution of each party to the marriage, giving appropriate economic value to homemaking and child care services; (4) the age and physical and emotional health of the parties; (5) the contribution by one party to the education, training, or increased earning power of the other; (6) the earning capacity of each party; (7) the desirability of awarding the marital home to the primary care taker; (8) the amount and duration of an order granting spousal support; (9) other economic circumstances of the parties; (10) any written agreements; (11) tax consequences; (12) any other factors deemed relevant to the case.

 

Alimony/Spousal Support:

The court may grant limited or indefinite support after considering 10 factors, including length of the marriage, age and physical and emotional health of the parties, the property distribution, the educational level of each party, the earning capacity of each party. 

 

Child Custody/Visitation:

On the request of either party for joint custody, there shall be a presumption of joint custody.  If the court does not grant joint custody, it must clearly state its reasons why joint custody is not in the best interests of the children.  Joint custody does not necessarily require joint physical care.  Physical care shall be awarded as is in the best interests of the children.

 

Child Support:

Child support guidelines are enacted by the Supreme Court of Iowa by court rule.  The guidelines are based on the income shares model, based on gross income.