Legal Question in Family Law in Iowa

I have been with a man who owes back owed child support. We wish to get married but he believes the courts will come after my income and my home. He owes around $20,000 in the state of Minnesota. We live in Iowa and are considered in a common law marriage. I file him as a dependent under my taxes due to the fact he doesn't have a steady job and makes under the requirement so I am able to file him as a dependent. I have done this for the last 5 years. He makes his monthly child support payments. We plan on keeping the house in my name and keep having separate bank accounts if we marry. What would be the ramification of us getting married for his back owed child support, if there is any?


Asked on 11/30/12, 6:02 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

Well, there's no such thing as a common law marriage in Iowa, no matter whether you have been told otherwise, unless you were common law in another state that does recognize it and it was so recognized before you moved to Iowa. He owes the money, not you. It's best to keep all your accounts separate though.

Read more
Answered on 12/01/12, 10:01 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in Iowa