Uncontested Divorce in Iowa

Divorce is a huge turmoil in one’s life. During this process, the divorcing couple loses peace of mind as well as money. The divorcing couple should try their level best to ensure that the loss of these two issues is minimized. For this, they must try to resolve all the important issues of their divorce amongst themselves without going to court.

In this state, the divorcing partner who files the divorce case is called the Petitioner. The other divorcing partner who responds to the divorce action is known as the Respondent. The District Court in the counties is the venue for filing the action.

Residency requirements for Uncontested Divorce in Iowa

The Petitioner does not have any residency requirement. However, the Respondent must be a resident of this state. The county where the Petitioner resides or the Respondent resides is selected as the venue to file the action. The divorce can become final after a waiting period of 90 days.

Grounds of Uncontested Divorce in Iowa

In this state there is a singular ground for divorce and this is no-fault one. It implies that the marital relation has broken down to such an extent that the rightful objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there is no reasonable possibility that the marital status can be maintained.

Forms when minor children are not involved

The Petitioner must file the below mentioned forms.

• FL-101: A Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with no minor children: This document provides identification of the divorcing parties, their addresses, their birth dates and states. The document also states the following 3 points.
  • The wife is not pregnant, the marriage is broken and it is impossible to save it and there is a request for relief.
  • The divorcing couple does not have any children over 18 years of age that are still in need of support.
  • The divorcing couple does not have any children less than 18 years of age that are born or adopted during marital status.

• FL-106: Directions for Service of Original Notice: This form identifies the party that provides service of the process and the delivery of the Petition and Original Notice to the Respondent.

• FL-105: An Acceptance of Service of Original Notice: This document is signed by the Respondent in order to attest the fact that the Petition and the Original Notice of Personal Service has been received by the Respondent and has been accepted.

• FL-104: Original Notice of Personal Service: This document along with the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage offers 20 days to the Respondent for providing a response like an Answer or a Motion.

• FL-103: A Confidential Information Form: Both the Respondent and the Petitioner fill in this form and thereby, furnish their Social Security Numbers.

• FL-102: A Coversheet for a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with no minor children: This document identifies the action in progress as CD-DN (Domestic Relations : Dissolution : no children)

Sometimes the Petitioner cannot bear the expenses of filing. Then, the Petitioner must file FL-109. This is an Application and Affidavit to defer payment of costs. The Petitioner is now exempted from the filing fees.

Divorce Papers