Child Custody Arrangements
Learn about the different types of child custody arrangements. Whenever feasible, IowaFathers recommends Joint Physical Placement (50/50).
About Us
Preserving the parent-child relationship in separated families!
IowaFathers supports Shared Parenting 50/50 (aka Joint Physical Placement) and is dedicated to ensuring children have equal access to both parents.
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Iowa Court Services
Access the website for electronically filing cases, court approved forms, and other information within the Iowa Court System.
Iowa Court Case Search
Search statewide cases on the ICIS System at the District Court or Appellate Court level.
Legislative Action
Information and resources for following Iowa legislation and participating in the legislative process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Iowa family law resources, joint physical placement, legal representation, and getting involved.
IowaFathers works with legislators every year to make impactful changes to family law. In order to be successful, we need members to lobby, email, and speak with their legislators. The best way to keep current is to view the Legislative Action section on this website and to frequently monitor and interact with our Facebook Page.
Joint Physical Care (aka Joint Physical Placement) is when both parents share physical placement of the child(ren). Simply defined, joint physical care allows the child(ren) to live with each parent 50% of the time during the year. Research has shown that child(ren) need equal access to both parents and joint physical care accomplishes this challenge. Parenting schedules are established to determine when each parent has the child(ren) living with them. The most frequent joint physical care schedule is one week at moms, the next week at dads, and holidays are usually alternated. The State of Iowa allows parents to determine what parenting schedule best meets the needs of their child(ren). Joint physical care is established in Iowa Statute 598.41(5)(a).
The inability to afford legal representation should never prohibit anyone from exercising their legal rights when it comes to family law. Pro Se is the legal term used to identify someone choosing to represent themselves in court. Click here to access the Judicial Branch website for Pro Se individuals. Note: Specific topics such as Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, etc., are listed on the left hand side of the webpage.
If you are having difficulty finding legal representation, we suggest clicking here and searching attorneys listed on the Iowa Bar Association website. Alternatively, you could ask members on our Facebook Page for attorney recommendations in your area.
Iowa Code 598 governs Dissolution of Marriage and Domestic Relations. Please click here to view Iowa Code 598.
The Iowa Law Library is a great resource for case law. You can email them at law.library@iowa.gov with some case specifics and they will reply with their findings usually within a few days.