1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, hearings for dissolution of marriage shall be held in open court upon the oral testimony of witnesses, or upon the depositions of such witnesses taken as in other equitable actions or taken by a commissioner appointed by the court. The court may in its discretion close the hearing. Hearings held for the purpose of determining child custody may be limited in attendance by the court. Upon request of either party, the court shall provide security in the courtroom during the custody hearing if a history of domestic abuse relating to either party exists.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 598.8

  • Child: includes child by adoption. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • custody: means an award of the rights of legal custody of a minor child to a parent under which a parent has legal custodial rights and responsibilities toward the child. See Iowa Code 598.1
  • 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
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • security: includes , but is not limited to, a certificated security, an uncertificated security, and a security account. See Iowa Code 633D.2
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
 2. The court may enter a decree of dissolution without a hearing under either of the following circumstances:

 a. All of the following circumstances have been met:

 (1) The parties have certified in writing that there has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the legitimate objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved.
 (2) All documents required by the court and by statute have been filed.
 (3) The parties have entered into a written agreement settling all of the issues involved in the dissolution of marriage.
 b. The respondent has not entered a general or special appearance or filed a motion or pleading in the case, the waiting period provided under section 598.19 has expired, and all of the following circumstances have been met:

 (1) The petitioner has certified in writing that there has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the legitimate objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved.
 (2) All documents required by the court and by statute have been filed.