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Legal Information: Iowa

Custody

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Laws current as of August 5, 2024

What is custody?

A parent who has custody, also called legal custody, has the legal right and responsibility to make important life decisions about the child’s:

  • legal status;
  • medical care;
  • education;
  • extracurricular activities; and
  • religious instruction.1        

Joint legal custody means both parents have legal rights. When parents in Iowa have joint legal custody, they participate equally in making the important life decisions for the child.2 However, joint legal custody does not necessarily mean that the child will spend equal time with or live with both parents.

Sole legal custody means that only one parent has the legal right to make important life decisions that affect the child.2 

1 Iowa Code § 598.1(5)
2 Iowa Code § 598.1(3)

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