Explaining the Law and Providing Self-Help Information for Low-Income Iowans
There are 119 resources
Page 2 of 5
Custody/Visitation
The Uniform Child Custody and Parental Kidnapping Protections Acts
These days, people move around a lot more than they used to. It is not unusual for a child to live in two or more different states before he or she turns eighteen. These federal laws address many issues that arise when parents and children live in different states.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
The UCCJEA says that an Iowa court can only make decisions about custody of a child if Iowa has jurisdiction over that child.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Divorce Law in Iowa with No Children and No Lawyer A guide to using the court forms for divorce without children
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Divorce Law in Iowa
An online version of the Iowa Legal Aid community legal education booklet Divorce Law in Iowa (revised and reprinted November 2005).
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Limited Representation (Unbundled Legal Services)
Questions and answers about new rules changing how lawyers can provide services to clients.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Questions and Answers About Divorce A two-page handout providing general information on divorce law in Iowa.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Children in the Middle
This overview written by "Children in the Middle" instructor Charlie Easterly describes how a program which became a state law in 1997 provides parents with information on children and divorce.
By: Charlie Easterly, Children in the Middle Instructor
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Misconceptions About Common Law Marriage
Questions often arise about the legal rights of persons who are, or were, part of a couple, but who have not gone through a marriage ceremony. This resource looks at some misconceptions about common law marriage.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Bosnian / Bosanski
,
Spanish / Español
Common Law Marriage in Iowa
Under Iowa law, there are two ways for a couple to be legally married.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Bosnian / Bosanski
,
Spanish / Español
Doctor?Patient Privilege In Civil Court Cases
Under most circumstances your doctor or counselor cannot give your records to anyone but you. This privilege is based on the constitutional right to privacy.
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.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Internet Safety
(Separate Website)
There are hundreds of ways that computers record everything you do on the computer or Internet.
By: Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Read this in:
Bosnian / Bosanski
,
Spanish / Español
My Spouse Lied to the IRS and I Got the Bill!
Most of the time a husband and spouse filing a joint tax return are both held responsible for any tax debts that come from that tax return, called "Joint and Several Liability." This can become an issue when married couples separate.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Recent Legislative Changes in Family Law
This resource is a summary of changes in Iowa law on Divorce and Custody Changes as well as Child Support.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Resolving Family Law Problems Through Mediation
A divorce or custody action can take a long time. It can cost a lot of money and be very emotional and stressful for the family. Iowa courts have looked for other ways to resolve family law disputes.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Self-Help Divorce Forms
(Separate Website)
If you do not have minor children and want to file a divorce without an attorney, you must use these forms from the Iowa Judicial Branch.
By: Iowa Judicial Branch
Questions and Answers About Domestic Abuse
These common questions and answers about domestic abuse provide a summary of Iowa law.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Bosnian / Bosanski
,
Spanish / Español
Questions and Answers About Protective Orders An overview of different kinds of protective orders, who can get one, and other common concerns related to this subject.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Bosnian / Bosanski
,
Spanish / Español
Civil Domestic Abuse Actions
Sometimes a victim of domestic abuse does not want her abuser arrested, or does not want to file criminal charges against her abuser. She just wants her abuser to stay away from her. Sometimes criminal charges are filed against an abuser, but a victim needs additional help from the court. In these situations, a victim of domestic abuse assault can file her own ?civil? domestic abuse action to get protection and relief from the court. A civil action is a lawsuit a person files in Court. It is not a criminal case.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Bosnian / Bosanski
,
Spanish / Español
Changes to the Child Abuse Registry Law
A new law changes how child abuse is defined as well as the process for appealing a placement on the Child Abuse Registry.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Denying Housing to Survivors of Domestic Violence May Violate Fair Housing Laws
It is hard enough for anyone to find decent affordable housing. Finding housing may be even harder for women who are survivors of domestic violence. Why would this be?
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Bosnian / Bosanski
,
Spanish / Español
Exceptions to Protective Order Prohibitions on Possessing Firearms
People subject to a civil protective order may be prohibited from getting a firearm or ammunition. While these steps may provide extra security to a victim who has a protective order, the law does allow some exceptions.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
How Can I Get a Civil Protection Order?
A civil domestic abuse action is started by filing a petition with the Clerk of Court, asking for protection from domestic abuse. A victim can have an attorney file the petition for her. A domestic abuse victim can also file a petition herself, by using forms available from the Clerk of Court.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Bosnian / Bosanski
,
Spanish / Español
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
The Iowa Legal Aid Website is a project of Iowa Legal Aid, the Volunteer Lawyer Projects of the Iowa State Bar and Polk County Bar Associations and HELP Legal Assistance.
ILAW Home
Referral Finder
Choose Another Location
Arabic / العربية
