Iowa Family Law Glossary of Terms and Definitions
08.09.2023
Attorney Katelyn Kurt developed an Iowa Family Law Glossary for clients and family members to better understand the unique terminology related to their divorce and family law matters.
TERM |
DEFINITION |
| Alimony | Financial payments made to help support a spouse or former spouse during separation or following divorce. Synonym(s): spousal support |
| Arrearage | The amount of money that is past due for child or spousal support. |
| Child Support Guidelines |
Guidelines established by statute or rule that set forth the manner in which child support must be calculated, generally based on the income of the parents and the needs of the children. |
| Custody |
Having rights to your child. Custody can be either legal or physical: Legal Custody: the right to make important decisions about your child’s welfare, including making Synonym(s): “physical care” |
| Decree |
The court’s written order or decision finalizing the divorce. |
| Default | Failing to answer a petition for divorce. Failing to file an answer or appear in court as required can result in the court awarding everything requested by the filing spouse. |
| Equitable Distribution |
A division of property that is fair in view of all the circumstances. Note: “fair” and/or “equitable” do not necessarily mean “equal.” |
| Marital Property | Generally, all property acquired during the marriage. |
| Mediation |
A form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) which resolves legal disputes without going to trial. Mediation uses a trained and impartial third party who brings the parties together to reach mutual agreement. |
| Non-Marital Property |
Generally, property owned by either spouse prior to the marriage or acquired by them individually during the marriage, such as by gift or inheritance. |
| Petitioner |
The person who initiates the dissolution of marriage proceeding. |
| “QDRO” | A Qualified Domestic Relations Order - An order issued by the court to divide retirement benefits. |
| Respondent |
The person who answers a petition in a legal proceeding. |
| Stipulation | An agreement entered into by the divorcing spouses that settles the legal issues between them and is often incorporated in the court’s final decree. |
| Visitation |
The time that a noncustodial parent spends with his or her child(ren). Synonym(s): parenting time |
fOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IOWA Family Law
If you need assistance with your Iowa divorce and family law matter, contact Katelyn Kurt at 515-288-6041 or kurt@whitfieldlaw.com