598.1 Definitions. As used in this chapter: 1. “Best interest of the child” includes but is not limited to the opportunity for maximum continuous physical and emotional contact possible with both parents, unless direct physical or significant emotional harm to the child may result from this contact. Refusal by one parent to provide this opportunity […]
598.10 Temporary orders. 1. a. The court may order either party to pay the clerk a sum of money for the separate support and maintenance of the other party and the children and to enable such party to prosecute or defend the action. The court may on its own motion and shall upon application of […]
598.11 How temporary order made — changes — retroactive modification. 1. In making temporary orders, the court shall take into consideration the age of the applicant, the physical and pecuniary condition of the parties, and other matters as are pertinent, which may be shown by affidavits, as the court may direct. The hearing on the […]
598.12 Guardian ad litem for minor child. 1. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of the minor child or children of the parties. The guardian ad litem shall be a practicing attorney and shall be solely responsible for representing the best interests of the minor child or children. […]
598.12A Attorney for minor child. 1. The court may appoint an attorney to represent the minor child or children of the parties. If appointed under this section, the child’s attorney shall be solely responsible for representing the minor child or children. The child’s attorney shall be independent of the court and other parties to the […]
598.12B Child custody investigators and child and family reporters. 1. The supreme court shall prescribe and maintain standards for child custody investigators and child and family reporters. 2. The court may require a child custody investigator or a child and family reporter to obtain information regarding both parties’ home conditions, parenting capabilities, and other matters […]
598.13 Financial statements filed. 1. a. Both parties shall disclose their financial status. A showing of special circumstances shall not be required before the disclosure is ordered. A statement of net worth set forth by affidavit on a form prescribed by the supreme court and furnished without charge by the clerk of the district court […]
598.14 Attachment. The petition may be presented to the court for the allowance of an order of attachment, which, by endorsement thereon, may direct such attachment and fix the amount for which it may issue, and the amount of the bond, if any, that shall be given. Any property taken by virtue thereof shall be […]
598.14A Retroactive modification of temporary support order. Repealed by 2005 Acts, ch 69, §58 .
598.14B Child visitation — temporary custody orders. Repealed by 2005 Acts, ch 69, §58 .
598.15 Mandatory course — parties to certain proceedings. 1. The parties to any action which involves the issues of child custody or visitation shall participate in a court-approved course to educate and sensitize the parties to the needs of any child or party during and subsequent to the proceeding within forty-five days of the service […]
598.16 Conciliation — domestic relations divisions. 1. A majority of the judges in any judicial district, with the cooperation of any county board of supervisors in the district, may establish a domestic relations division of the district court of the county where the board is located. The division shall offer counseling and related services to […]
598.17 Dissolution of marriage — evidence. 1. A decree dissolving the marriage may be entered when the court is satisfied from the evidence presented that there has been a 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 […]
598.18 Recrimination not a bar to dissolution of marriage. If, upon the trial of an action for dissolution of marriage, both of the parties are found to have committed an act or acts which would support or justify a decree of dissolution of marriage, such dissolution may be decreed, and the acts of one party […]
598.19 Waiting period before decree. No decree dissolving a marriage shall be granted in any proceeding before ninety days shall have elapsed from the day the original notice is served, or from the last day of publication of notice, or from the date that waiver or acceptance of original notice is filed or until after […]
598.19A Mandatory course — parties to certain proceedings. Repealed by 2005 Acts, ch 69, §58 . See §598.15.
598.2 Jurisdiction and venue. The district court has original jurisdiction of the subject matter of this chapter. Venue shall be in the county where either party resides. [C51, §1480; R60, §2532; C73, §2220; C97, §3171; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §10468; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §598.1; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §598.2]
598.20 Forfeiture of marital rights. When a dissolution of marriage is decreed the parties shall forfeit all rights acquired by marriage which are not specifically preserved in the decree. This provision shall not obviate any of the provisions of section 598.21, 598.21A, 598.21B, 598.21C, 598.21D, 598.21E, or 598.21F. [C51, §1486; C73, §2230; C97, §3181; C24, […]
598.20A Beneficiary revocation — life insurance. 1. Except as preempted by federal law, if a decree of dissolution, annulment, or separate maintenance is issued after the policy owner of an insurance contract insuring the policy owner’s own life has designated the policy owner’s spouse or one or more relatives of the policy owner’s spouse as […]
598.20B Beneficiary revocation — other contracts. 1. Except as preempted by federal law, if a decree of dissolution, annulment, or separate maintenance is issued after a participant, annuitant, or account holder has designated the participant’s, annuitant’s, or account holder’s spouse or one or more relatives of the participant’s, annuitant’s, or account holder’s spouse as beneficiary […]
