Iowa Code
Iowa Code § 597.14 (2026)
Family expenses
✓ current as of July 2026
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The reasonable and necessary expenses of the family and the education of the children are chargeable upon the property of both husband and wife, or either of them, and in relation thereto they may be sued jointly or separately. [C51, §1455; R60, §2507; C73, §2214; C97, §3165; S13, §3165; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §10459; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §597.14] Referred to in §537.7103 Spousal support debt for medical assistance to institutionalized spouse; chapter 249B
\nNotes of Decisions
Cited in 37
cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1949–2024 · leading case: Dole v. Harstad, 278 N.W.2d 907 (Iowa 1979).
Dole v. Harstad, 278 N.W.2d 907 (Iowa 1979). “6 must be considered with section 597.14, The Code, which provides: The reasonable and necessary expenses of the family and the education of the children are chargeable upon the property of both husband and wife, or either of them, and in relation thereto they may be sued…”
Jodi Lynn Erpelding v. Timothy John Erpelding, 917 N.W.2d 235 (Iowa 2018). “Iowa Code § 597.14 (imposing duty on both spouses to provide "reasonable and necessary expenses of the family and the education of the children"); Turner v.”
In Re the Marriage of Johnson, 781 N.W.2d 553 (Iowa 2010). “” Iowa Code § 597.14 . We have interpreted this section to mean that a spouse is responsible for the payment of the other spouse’s medical and hospital expenses incurred during the marriage.”
Beasley v. Beasley, 159 N.W.2d 449 (Iowa 1968). “Plaintiff's second proposition argues section 597.14 applies only as to cases brought by third parties and is not applicable where the contest is between the parents.”
Locke v. Locke, 246 N.W.2d 246 (Iowa 1976). “” Section 597.14, The Code, provides: “Family expenses.”
In Re Marriage of Byall, 353 N.W.2d 103 (Iowa Ct. App. 1984). “However, in this state by reason of section 597.14, which provides the reasonable and necessary expenses of the family are chargeable upon the property of both husband and wife, the view prevails that the same legal obligations rest upon both husband and wife, not necessarily…”
In Re the Marriage of Carney, 206 N.W.2d 107 (Iowa 1973). “However, in this state by reason of section 597.14, The Code, which provides the reasonable and necessary expenses of the family are chargeable upon the property of both husband and wife, the view prevails that the same legal obligation rests upon both husband and wife, not…”
In Re Marriage of Schissel, 292 N.W.2d 421 (Iowa 1980). “John insists that Janet’s $25 per month support obligation is not enough in view of his own monthly payment of $175 and section 597.14 of the Code, which provides that both parents are liable for the support of the children.”
Stillmunkes Ex Rel. Stillmunkes v. Stillmunkes, 65 N.W.2d 366 (Iowa 1954). “By reason of section 597.14, Code, 1950, which provides that the reasonable and necessary expenses of the family are chargeable upon the property of both husband and wife, the view prevails in Iowa that even between the parents they are under the same legal duty to support the…”
In Re the Marriage of Burgess, 568 N.W.2d 827 (Iowa Ct. App. 1997). “See Iowa Code § 597.14 ; Menefee v. Chesley, 98 Iowa 55 , 66 N.”
Phillips v. Dodds, 867 N.E.2d 1122 (Ill. App. Ct. 2007). “2d 906, 907 (1983)), copying a similar statute in Iowa ( Iowa Code § 2214 (1873), now Iowa Code § 597.14 (2006)) ( Louis Berman & Co.”
State Ex Rel. Dep't of Human Servs. v. Brooks, 412 N.W.2d 613 (Iowa 1987). “Courts that have faced this issue have begun with the general proposition that parents are responsible for the necessary medical treatment of their children.”
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