Iowa

Custody/Visitation

Legal Information

• Can an Iowa Court Hear Your Family Law Case?

  Iowa courts can’t automatically hear every divorce or custody case that is filed. Read More

  By:

  Iowa Legal Aid

• Can I terminate the other parent’s parental rights?

  Some feel like it would be best if the parental rights of the parent making bad choices are terminated Read More

  By:

  Iowa Legal Aid

• Changes to Custody Law Affecting Deployed Service Members

  service member parents who are deployed may ask that a nonparent take over their parenting responsibility during their deployment. Read More

  By:

  Iowa Legal Aid

• Child Custody

  In Iowa, if a couple (married or unmarried) has children in the family under the age of eighteen, the courts will play a role in making decisions related to child custody. Read More

  By:

  Iowa Judicial Branch

• Custody Order for Parents with Open CINA Cases

  Parents involved in open Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) cases have a way to get a court to order permanent custody, physical care, and visitation. Read More

  By:

  Iowa Legal Aid

• Do You Really Need a Guardianship for Your Child?

  Parents often convinced by school officials or medical personnel that a guardianship of their child is needed. However, this is not always best and there are other options. Read More

  By:

  Iowa Legal Aid

• Fathers' Rights in Unmarried Situations

  If parents are not married at the time of a child's birth, a father's participation in making many important decisions may be limited until paternity is established. Read More

  By:

  Iowa Legal Aid

• Grandparent Visitation in Iowa

  In Iowa, a grandparent can ask the court for visitation in limited circumstances. Read More

• Guardianships for Children

  Parents should consider all their options before agreeing to let someone else have a guardianship over their child. A guardianship may be hard to end and can last much longer than planned. A guardian has no legal obligation to allow the parents to visit unless it is ordered by a judge Also a child support action could be brought against the parents. Read More

• How DHS Responds to Reports of Child Abuse

  When the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) receives a report of child abuse, there are now two alternative paths DHS can take in response. Read More

  By:

  Iowa Legal Aid

• How Social Networking Can Be Used Against People in Family Law Cases

  What people put on social networking websites can end up being used in unexpected ways. Being aware of the potential risks can help you avoid adding content that could cause problems down the road. Read More

• How to Modify a Custody Order

  Custody orders are issued by a court in which a judge establishes a schedule for separated parents to have parenting time with their children. This resource will discuss when and how a parent can change, or modify, a custody order. Read More

• International Parental Child Abduction

  The Office of Children's Issues at the State Department assists in cases of international parental child abduction and is prepared to help pursue recovery of an abducted child. Content Detail

  By:

  U.S. Department of State

• Internet Privacy and the Court

  You should know this before posting things on social media. Read More

  By:

  Iowa Legal Aid

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Iowa Custody Law

  What you need to know about custody in Iowa. Read More

  By:

  Iowa Legal Aid