Iowa Divorce Source: Iowa Alimony

Encyclopedia

Checklists

Tools

Downloads

Bookstore

Iowa Info

Iowa Divorce Start Your Divorce Find Professionals Iowa Articles Divorce Facts Divorce Grounds Residency Divorce Laws Property Division Alimony Child Custody Child Support Divorce Forms Grandparent Rights Forum Iowa Products Divorce by County

Info Categories

Contemplating Divorce Children & Divorce Divorce, Dollars & Debt Divorce Laws Divorce Process Divorce Negotiation

More Information

Articles Checklists Research Center Cases of Interest Dictionary Encyclopedia Encyclopedia (pop-up) Blogs

For Professionals

Advertise With Us Free Network Page Join Our Network Submit Articles Sign In

Network Sites

Iowa Divorce Support Iowa Divorce Online

Iowa Alimony

Maintenance

In Iowa, alimony is also known as maintenance. The court determines the need for, and amount of, maintenance by considering a variety of factors and circumstances, including length of time the marriage existed, the income earning potential of the spouse requesting alimony, and tax implications, just to name a few.

Marital fault is not a factor in determining alimony in Iowa.

Alimony influences the distribution of property, and it can become intricately involved in a divorce settlement. When spouses are unable to reach an agreement on this issue, the District Court can order support on a case-by-case basis.

Types of Alimony

Iowa courts may order temporary, short- and long-term alimony. Temporary alimony is granted at the discretion of the court during the divorce proceedings and before the final decree. Short-term alimony may be granted to allow the receiving party time to gain necessary skills. Long-Term or permanent may be granted to a spouse who has significant needs, usually reserved for lengthy marriages.

Factors Considered by the Court

In Iowa alimony is discretionary. According to the Iowa Code - Sections 598.21, 598.22 and 598.32, the court may order maintenance to one spouse for a temporary or permanent amount of time after considering all of the following:

the duration of the marriage;
the age and health of the parties;
the property award;
the level of education of each party;
the earning capacity of the party desiring maintenance;
the feasibility of the party seeking maintenance becoming self-supporting at a standard of living reasonably comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage, and the length of time necessary to achieve this goal;
the tax repercussions;
any agreements made by the parties;
the provisions of an antenuptial agreement; and
other factors the court may determine to be relevant in an individual case.