Iowa handles divorce through no-fault dissolution, prioritizing children’s best interests for custody and equitable property division. Courts decide alimony based on need and ability to pay, with no major 2026 changes altering core statutes.
Child Custody
Iowa courts award joint legal custody as default unless evidence shows it’s not in the child’s best interest, considering factors like parental fitness, child adjustment, historical caregiving roles, and sibling bonds. Physical care can be shared or granted to one parent; decisions favor stability and meaningful parent-child relationships over equal time splits. Parents must complete a “Children in the Middle” program, with modifications requiring substantial changes in circumstances.
Alimony (Spousal Support)
Alimony isn’t automatic and varies by case: traditional (ongoing), rehabilitative (time-limited for self-sufficiency), or reimbursement (for marriage contributions). Courts weigh marriage length, recipient’s earning capacity, health, education, standard of living, and payer’s ability; long marriages (20+ years) often yield longer awards. No fixed formula exists—awards end on remarriage, cohabitation, or death.
Decision Factors Table
IssueKey Iowa Considerations
CustodyChild’s wishes (age 14+), safety, parental cooperation, abuse history
PropertyEquitable split of marital assets/debts; premarital property often separate…