Representing Yourself 

  

Browse through this section if you're searching for legal assistance, general information about juvenile court and divorce laws, and forms and guidance to assist you in representing yourself in certain court cases.    

  

Please Note:  Information on this web site is of a general nature.  Descriptions of laws and court procedures are abridged.  The information on this site is not intended to serve as legal advice and should not be construed as such.  Also, judges and court employees, including the webmaster for this site, are prohibited from giving legal advice.  For instance, we cannot comment on how laws affect you or others, your legal rights and remedies, whether or not to bring a court action, and how to proceed in court.  If you need legal advice, we suggest you consult with an attorney.    

  

Legal Help   

This section includes advice on how to find a lawyer, a directory of legal aid organizations in Iowa, and directions for how to find Iowa laws, court rules, and case law. 

  

Civil Law 

In this section you'll find information about, and forms for, small claims cases, information about how to collect a civil judgment, information and forms for changing your name, and a list of court fees charged for civil cases. 

 

How to Represent Yourself 

Learn practical tips on how to conduct yourself and represent yourself effectively in court. 

  

Divorce/Family Law 

In this section you will find general information about Iowa laws concerning divorce, child custody and support, a directory of Children in the Middle programs throughout the state, information about paternity, as well as Iowa's child support guidelines, tables and worksheets.  

  

Juvenile Court 

Learn about juvenile court procedures, including procedures for cases to protect abused and neglected children, steps in a juvenile delinquency matter, and procedures for obtaining treatment for a child with mental health or substance abuse problems.     

  

Domestic Violence 

Here you'll find a description of Iowa's laws designed to protect victims of domestic violence as well as a booklet with useful information about how to protect yourself and forms for obtaining a protective order from the court. 

  

Commitments 

This section includes information about how to secure court ordered treatment for a person who suffers a serious mental impairment or who is a chronic substance abuser and forms for commencing a court action. 

  

Common Legal Terms 

This is a helpful glossary of legal words and terms for anyone who wants to learn about the courts and court procedures.    

  

Complaints 

Here you'll find information and forms you'll need if you wish to file a complaint alleging unethical conduct by an attorney, judge or court employee.  These forms and procedures are not a substitute for an appeal and they will not alter the outcome of a court order or judgment.