How Long Does it Take to Get Divorced in Iowa?

Article written by Illinois Attorney Kevin O’Flaherty

In this article, we will answer the question “how long does it take to get divorced in Iowa?”, including: “how long does it take to go through a divorce in Iowa?”, and “do I have to go to Court to get divorced?”.

What are the Requirements to Get Divorced in Iowa?

Iowa law requires at least one of the parties to be a resident of Iowa for at least one year before a spouse can file for divorce. Iowa is a no-fault state, meaning that neither spouse needs to provide proof of why, what or who caused the marriage to end. The “petitioner,” which is a term for the spouse filing for divorce, need only state that the marriage is no longer reconcilable due to irreconcilable differences.

How Long Does it Take to go Through a Divorce in Iowa?

The length of a divorce will always vary from case to case. Once papers have been filed for a “Petition for Dissolution of Marriage,” there is a mandatory 90 day waiting period after the “petitioner” serves the Petition to the “respondent” before the parties can be legally divorced. The spouse seeking the divorce is referred to as the “petitioner,” and the spouse receiving the “Petition for Dissolution of Marriage” is referred to as the “respondent.”

If both parties can reach an agreement about the “division of assets” and any other issues that may arise…