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News
Courts
Offer Self-Help Forms for Parents Seeking Modification to Child Support
Orders
Posted 28 June 2008
To assist the growing numbers of Iowans who choose to represent
themselves in court without the aid of an attorney, Iowa's court system
now offers self-help forms for parents seeking a change in the amount
they pay or receive for child support. These forms are
specifically designed for those who want the court to increase,
decrease or stop child support payments. The forms cannot be used
to change child custody, physical care or visitation. Parents
choosing to represent themselves in court must use these self-help
forms. To be considered by the court, the completed forms must be
filed with the clerk of court. The court will not consider papers
or information sent by fax or email.
"Easy-to-use forms are important because they enhance court access for
Iowans who cannot afford an attorney," said Chief Justice Marsha
Ternus, Iowa Supreme Court. "While litigants have a right to represent
themselves in court without the aid of an attorney, in reality the vast
majority of them are not equipped to do so effectively. Their
lack of legal training and skill may lead them to make mistakes that
can compound their legal problems. Our easy-to-use forms and
instructions can help self-represented litigants better navigate
through the legal process. "
Sets of the forms with instructions are available in clerk of district
court offices for a nominal fee. The forms may be downloaded for
free from the Iowa Judicial Branch website at:
http://www.judicial.state.ia.us/
Court_Rules_and_Forms/Family_Law_Forms/index.asp
The Self Help section of the website also provides general information
and resources to help individuals understand and use the court
system. Court officials caution Iowans to be aware that some
commercial websites may be selling official Iowa court forms for
hundreds of dollars even though the forms are available for free on the
Iowa Judicial Branch website.
"Our modification of child support forms are the second set of forms
developed by the Iowa court system to help accommodate the needs of
self-represented litigants," said Chief Justice Ternus. "We also have
forms for divorcing couples without dependent children. We are focusing
our initial design efforts on forms for family law cases because this
area draws the most self-represented litigants. Over time, we intend to
adopt more forms and instructions to assist self-represented litigants
with other common court procedures."
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