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News Release
May 17, 2007
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Contact:
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Steve Davis, Court Communications Officer, (515)
725-8058
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IOWA COURTS PROVIDE SELF-HELP FORMS FOR DIVORCES
Des Moines, May 17, 2007— Iowa's court system now offers self-help forms for
divorcing Iowa couples who choose to represent themselves in court without the
aid of an attorney. The forms are
specifically designed for couples who do not have minor or dependent children.
"In the past decade, courts
around the nation have witnessed a tremendous increase in people representing
themselves in court, and Iowa is no exception," said Iowa Supreme Court Chief
Justice Marsha Ternus. "While people
have a right to represent themselves in court, the vast majority who do so are
unfamiliar with the laws, unfamiliar with court procedures and unequipped to
effectively handle their legal problems.
Our self-help forms and instructions will help people navigate through
Iowa's divorce laws and court procedures, and help ensure that Iowans who
cannot afford professional legal services have access to the courts."
Divorcing couples who do not
have minor or dependent children and who decide to represent themselves in
court must use the self-help forms. To
be considered by the court, the completed forms must be taken in person to a
clerk of court office. The court will
not consider papers or information sent by fax or email.
Copies of the forms, along
with instructions and guides are available in the self help section at
www.judicial.state.ia.us/Court_Rules_and_Forms/Family_Law_Forms/index.asp
This website also provides a
basic guide to Iowa divorce laws and procedures, as well as information on
civil law, family law, juvenile court, domestic violence, involuntary
hospitalization, and other common legal issues.
"For years, Iowa courts have
provided forms for people who represent themselves in small claims cases," Chief
Justice Ternus said. "Our latest forms focus on family law matters because
research shows that these cases involve a large number of self-represented
litigants. In the near future, we will offer forms for parents who want to
change or resist changes to their child support orders. And over time, we
intend to create self-help forms and instructions for other types of court
proceedings."
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2007
Iowa Supreme Court
1111 East Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-3952
