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News Release
June 17, 2008
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Contact:
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Steve Davis, Court Communications Officer, (515)
725-8058
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Iowa Courts Offer Self-Help Forms for Parents Seeking
Modification to Child Support Orders
Des
Moines, June 17, 2008—To assist the
growing numbers of Iowans who choose to represent themselves in court without
the aid of an attorney, Iowa's court system now offers self-help forms for
parents seeking a change in the amount they pay or receive for child
support. These forms are specifically
designed for those who want the court to increase, decrease or stop child
support payments. The forms cannot be
used to change child custody, physical care or visitation. Parents choosing to represent themselves in
court must use these self-help forms.
To be considered by the court, the completed forms must be filed with the
clerk of court. The court will not
consider papers or information sent by fax or email.
"Easy-to-use
forms are important because they enhance court access for Iowans who cannot
afford an attorney," said Chief Justice Marsha Ternus, Iowa Supreme Court. "While litigants have a right to represent
themselves in court without the aid of an attorney, in reality the vast
majority of them are not equipped to do so effectively. Their lack of legal training and skill may
lead them to make mistakes that can compound their legal problems. Our easy-to-use forms and instructions can
help self-represented litigants better navigate through the legal process. "
Sets
of the forms with instructions are available in clerk of district court offices
for a nominal fee. The forms may be
downloaded for free from the Iowa Judicial Branch website at:
http://www.judicial.state.ia.us/Court_Rules_and_Forms/Family_Law_Forms/index.asp
The
Self Help section of the website also provides general information and
resources to help individuals understand and use the court system. Court officials caution Iowans to be aware
that some commercial websites may be selling official Iowa court forms for
hundreds of dollars even though the forms are available for free on the Iowa
Judicial Branch website.
"Our
modification of child support forms are the second set of forms developed by the
Iowa court system to help accommodate the needs of self-represented litigants,"
said Chief Justice Ternus. "We also have forms for divorcing couples without
dependent children. We are focusing our
initial design efforts on forms for family law cases because this area draws
the most self-represented litigants. Over time, we intend to adopt more forms
and instructions to assist self-represented litigants with other common court
procedures."
Order
Adopting Forms
# # #
2008
Iowa Supreme Court
1111 East Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-3952
