Legal Question in Family Law in Iowa
Property Rights in a divorce
A woman has been married 4 years. They have 1 child together. She has one much older child. The man had a home on forty acres that was deeded to him through a life estate from his grandma who lives in a nursing home previous to the marriage. For a year and a half he has abandoned her and their child to live with another woman. He continues to pay a mortgage on the property, but has not resided at this residence. He still claims income tax on wife and child and keeps all returns. He has a sideline business of auto body repair. turns in claim his wife has had from accidents get the money but does not fix car. He refuses to pay to help raise child saying he is paying for the house she lives in. What rights does this woman have to any of said property if goes to divorce. There was no prenuptial agreement
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Property Rights in a divorce
If he has a life estate he does not own the 40 acre property. Even so whatever interest he acquired was prior to the marriage. I do not see any other property in this story.