Terms Used In Iowa Code 598.3

• Counterclaim: A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff.
• Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. ^Source:
• Dissolution of marriage: means a termination of the marriage relationship and shall be synonymous with the term "divorce". See Iowa Code 598.1
• Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. ^{Source: U.S. Courts}