Gay Divorce

Amid all the celebrating at the Stonewall Inn and elsewhere, the advent of same-sex marriage in New York stirs in the spouse of and co-author of a book by a divorce lawyer memories of how archaic and brutal that state’s divorce laws have always been.

It was only a year ago that New York, which now recognizes the inhumanity of denying legitimacy to those who want to share their lives lovingly and legally, was still forcing heterosexual couples in failed marriages into dishonest warfare that encouraged them to lie and cheat, enrich divorce attorneys and, worst of all, damage their children in protracted court fights.

Last July 1st, the state became the last in the union to legalize no-fault grounds for dissolving a marriage in a relatively humane way. Now, it joins Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and the District of Columbia as the only places in the U.S. where same-sex couples can get legally married.

Moral and religious arguments over the issue will go on, but…

MORE .

Iowa Divorce Laws - News


Gay Divorce
Gay Divorce

Amid all the celebrating at the Stonewall Inn and elsewhere, the advent of same-sex marriage in New York stirs in the spouse of and co-author of a book by a divorce lawyer memories of how archaic and brutal that state's divorce laws have always been.



Five Impacts of the New York Same-Sex Marriage Vote
Five Impacts of the New York Same-Sex Marriage Vote

The vote continues an adverse trend for marriage law in New York. Last year the Empire State became the 50th state to repeal a fault-based divorce law. Weakened emphasis on the durability of marriage as a heterosexual institution has helped to



Iowa Supreme Court issues grants for indigent Iowans, Cedar Rapids kids to benefit

The court has awarded grants to 15 organizations statewide, including Cedar Rapids-based Kids First Law Center, which will get $2650 to help provide legal services to children in Linn and Johnson counties who are in high-conflict divorce and custody



Hard times keep Des Moines shelters full

When the economy slows down, stress in Iowa households picks up. Court officials report that divorce actions hit a four-year peak statewide in 2010 at 17657. There were 6260 divorce-related court filings in the first four months of this year,



Will Pennsylvania follow New York's lead on gay marriage?

Opponents to same-sex unions fear gay marriages would rip apart the traditional family unit, leading to dramatic increases in children born outside two-parent homes, a spike in the divorce rate and an eventual degradation of human civilization.




Iowa Divorce Laws

Residency Requirements

If the defendant spouse is a resident of Iowa and was personally served the dissolution of marriage papers, there is no residency requirement for the spouse filing the dissolution of marriage. Otherwise, there is a 1-year residency requirement. In addition, there is a 90-day waiting period prior to the dissolution of marriage becoming final. The dissolution of marriage may be filed in a county where either spouse resides.

Legal Grounds for Divorce [Iowa Code Annotated; Sections 598.5 and 598.17]. General Divorce : The only grounds for dissolution of marriage in Iowa are 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 can be preserved.

Legal Separation

If the defendant spouse is a resident of Iowa and was personally served legal papers, there is no residency requirement for the spouse filing the legal separation. Otherwise, there is a 1-year residency requirement. The grounds for legal separation in Iowa are 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 can be preserved.

Simplified/Special Divorce Procedures

There are no legal provisions in Iowa for simplified dissolution of marriage. However, sample petition captions and contents are contained in Iowa Code Annotated; Sections 598.4 and 598.5. In addition, both spouses are required to file Financial Affidavits on official forms which are available from the clerk of every district court.

Divorce Property Distribution

Iowa is an “equitable distribution” state. The court will divide all of the spouse’s property whether it was acquired before or after the marriage, except any gifts and inheritances received prior to or during the marriage. A portion of the property may be set aside in a fund for the support, maintenance, and education of any minor children. Marital fault is not a factor.


Iowa Divorce Laws - Bookshelf

Encyclopedia of Iowa law, being a plain statement of the law of Iowa so far as it affects the people in their business, domestic and social relations ...

Encyclopedia of Iowa law, being a plain statement of the law of Iowa so far as it affects the people in their business, domestic and social relations ...

(23 Iowa, 433.) Persistent abuse of the wife by the husband in the presence ... Under our laws, an action for divorce may be begun in the district court of ...

Annual survey of American law

Annual survey of American law

The following state laws require fault as grounds for divorce: 111. ... 1975); Iowa Code Ann. §§ 598.5(7), 598.17 (Supp. 1976); Ky. Rev. Stat. ...

marriage breakdown and divorce law reform in contemporary society

marriage breakdown and divorce law reform in contemporary society

For a detailed account of the divorce law in Canada see Costa, Derek Mendes da, Divorce in ... In Re Marriage of Morgan, 218 NW 2d 552 (Iowa 1974). 98. ...

American law reports annotated

American law reports annotated

A husband does not cease to be head of the family by reason of divorce, ... Byers (Iowa) supra. The court stated that the Homestead Law is intended for the ...

Iowa law bulletin

Iowa law bulletin

Minor on the Conflict op Laws, §73 ; Dickson v. ... of uniform holdings among the states in order to prevent the willful violation of divorce laws, ...

Helpful Guide Directory


Iowa Divorce Laws - Iowa State Divorce Laws
What you need to know about Iowa divorce laws.

Iowa Divorce Law Overview
Iowa Law Overview. In Iowa, divorce is formally known as "dissolution of marriage," a term ... Iowa recognizes "no fault divorce," which allows a marriage to be ...

Iowa Divorce Laws - Fault and No Fault Divorce Grounds ...
Complete information on Iowa divorce laws - grounds, filing information, alimony, child custody, property division, and more. ...

Iowa Divorce Source: State Divorce Laws: Iowa
Comprehensive overview of Iowa divorce laws, Iowa statutes and guidelines, and Iowa divorce information and advice relating to the legal, financial and emotional ...

Iowa Divorce Laws, Divorce Laws in Iowa
Divorce guide about the laws of divorce in the Iowa state.