Iowa Code » Chapter 598 — DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 598.20 (2026)

Forfeiture of marital rights

✓ current as of July 2026
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When a dissolution of marriage is decreed the parties shall forfeit all rights acquired by marriage which are not specifically preserved in the decree. This provision shall not obviate any of the provisions of section 598.21, 598.21A, 598.21B, 598.21C, 598.21D, 598.21E, or 598.21F. [C51, §1486; C73, §2230; C97, §3181; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §10483; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §598.16; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §598.20] 2005 Acts, ch 69, §37

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13 cases, 1950–2019 · leading case: In Re Est. of Carlisle, 653 N.W.2d 368 (Iowa 2002).
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In Re Est. of Carlisle, 653 N.W.2d 368 (Iowa 2002). · cites it 60× “Francis's estate and Francis's niece, as a beneficiary under his will (collectively "the estate"), rely primarily on Iowa Code section 598.20: When a dissolution of marriage is decreed the parties shall forfeit all rights acquired by marriage which are not specifically preserved…”
Ohlen v. Harriman, 296 N.W.2d 794 (Iowa 1980). · cites it 18× “Two issues are raised: (1) whether the appellee is barred from seeking relief through summary judgment because a prior motion to dismiss was denied by the trial court on the grounds of untimeliness; and (2) whether section 598.20, The Code, permits a plaintiff to maintain an…”
Beeck v. Aquaslide 'N' Dive Corp., 350 N.W.2d 149 (Iowa 1984). · cites it 2× “” Iowa Code § 598.20 (1975). We have held that a loss of consortium claim is a “right acquired by marriage” and that it is forfeited unless specifically preserved.”
Michael v. Harrison Cnty. Rural Elec. Coop., 292 N.W.2d 417 (Iowa 1980). · cites it 4× “It asserted that, as a consequence, her claim was precluded by virtue of section 598.20, The Code, which provides in part material here that “[wjhen a dissolution of marriage is decreed the parties shall forfeit all rights acquired by marriage which are not specifically…”
In Re the Marriage of Keith, 513 N.W.2d 769 (Iowa Ct. App. 1994). · cites it 2× “It is argued that such claims are not covered by Iowa Code section 598.20. That section provides: When a dissolution of marriage is decreed the parties shall forfeit all rights acquired by marriage which are not specifically preserved in the decree.”
Bearbower v. Merry, 266 N.W.2d 128 (Iowa 1978). · cites it 2× “2d 552 (Iowa 1973); see § 598.20, The Code. II. Alienation of affections.”
Giltner v. Stark, 252 N.W.2d 743 (Iowa 1977). · cites it 2× “2d 552, 554 , where we interpreted for the first time Code section 598.20, which provides in part: “When a dissolution of marriage is decreed the parties shall forfeit all rights acquired by marriage which are not specifically preserved in the decree.”
Van Ellen v. Meyer, 207 N.W.2d 552 (Iowa 1973). · cites it 4× “The sole issue raised here by plaintiff’s appeal is whether the right to bring an action for alienation of affections is barred, under section 598.20, Code, 1971, by a decree of dissolution of marriage absent a reservation of right to bring such an action in the dissolution…”
In Re the Marriage of Plasencia, 541 N.W.2d 923 (Iowa Ct. App. 1995). · cites it 2× “When asked at trial if she wanted to pursue a separate cause of action, or if she should be awarded some percentage of Raphael’s claim, Deborah testified she wanted a certain percentage of Raphael’s claim and did not want to pursue a separate claim. Deborah did not request the…”
Pickard v. Pickard, 45 N.W.2d 269 (Iowa 1950). · cites it 2× “Section 598.20 provides: “* # * all the provisions of this [divorce] chapter in relation thereto shall apply to such cases, except as otherwise provided.”
Sheryl Schwab v. Jennifer Zahradnik (Iowa Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 4× “Iowa Code § 598.20 (2009); see also Plasencia, 541 N.”
In re the Marriage of Wilson (Iowa Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 2× “” Iowa Code § 598.20 . It is the litigant’s obligation to preserve a separate action during a dissolution trial.”
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