Iowa State Laws

The state of Iowa is nicknamed the American Heartland as it resides in the Midwestern section of the country. The name Iowa originated for American Indian occupation that was later called New France as a French colony. The Louisiana Purchase made Iowa part of the United States where it later flourished into America's capital for food production.

Over three hundred years after the land now known as Iowa was claimed by French explorers, Iowa now produces much of the nation's agriculture and other necessary goods. Iowa is governed by many state laws that are not otherwise designated through the federal government. Some of these include divorce laws, bankruptcy laws, labor laws, drunk driving laws, gun laws, and others.

Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy in the United States is designed to assist those who have found themselves in debt through extraneous circumstances. These circumstances often include extended hospitalization, the loss of a client, the loss of employment, and other circumstances that force individuals into debt quickly.

The federal government recently created new bankruptcy laws to eliminate those who apply for bankruptcy but can actually help themselves instead. These new laws include three times as much paperwork than in previous filing and harsher screening processes.

Those applying for bankruptcy in Iowa will have their incomes measured against the average income for the rest of the state. Individuals who are found eligible after screening will either be granted Chapter Thirteen bankruptcy or Chapter Seven bankruptcy.

Divorce
Each state has its own requirements for how divorce cases are to be handled. Iowa requires that in order to have a legal divorce in the state, individuals must first be state residents for at least one year. Where these citizens reside will dictate where they will be required to file for divorce. Divorce cases are handled by the county circuit courts.

Iowa law states that individuals petitioning for divorce are to file in their county of residency or the residency of their spouses. Under this jurisdiction if an individual files in the incorrect county, his or her divorce petition will be dismissed. Iowa law also requires that each divorce petition wait ninety days prior to entering court.

Drunk Driving
Drunk driving consequences are decided through the number of previous offenses and any aggravated circumstances. Aggravated circumstances include driving over the speed limit, having a minor in the motor vehicle upon arrest, injuring another, having a blood alcohol content at 0.15 percent or greater, and cause death to another.

These circumstances can increase a first offense and can double or triple subsequent offenses. Many driving under the influence convictions include driver's license suspension, large fines, alcohol counseling, community service, incarceration, installation of interlocking devices, and motor vehicle impounding.

Wages
When the United States federal minimum wage was raised to seven dollars and twenty-five cent in 2009, it required all states to raise their minimum wages to match or exceed this limit. The minimum wage for Iowa now matches that of the federal requirement. Under minimum wage law employers are not legally permitted to pay their employees less than this amount. However employees who are regularly tipped can legally be paid less than seven dollars and twenty-five cents.