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

Iowa Code § 598.24 (2026)

Costs if party is in default or contempt

✓ current as of July 2026
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When an action for a modification, order to show cause, or contempt of a dissolution, annulment, or separate maintenance decree is brought on the grounds that a party to the decree is in default or contempt of the decree, and the court determines that the party is in default or contempt of the decree, the costs of the proceeding, including reasonable attorney’s fees, may be taxed against that party. [C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §598.24] 84 Acts, ch 1133, §2

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 57 cases (13 in the last 5 years), 1951–2026 · leading case: In Re the Marriage of Anderson, 451 N.W.2d 187 (Iowa Ct. App. 1989).
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In Re the Marriage of Anderson, 451 N.W.2d 187 (Iowa Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 24× “” Iowa Code § 598.24 (1987) (emphasis added).”
In Re the Marriage of McCurnin, 681 N.W.2d 322 (Iowa 2004). · cites it 4× “Iowa Code § 598.24 (emphasis added). Because we have found that David was not in default on his child support, Jennifer is not entitled to trial and appellate attorney fees for the time and effort spent on the application to enforce child support.”
Rausch v. Rausch, 314 N.W.2d 172 (Iowa Ct. App. 1981). · cites it 12× “Section 598.24, The Code, provides: Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the party entitled to support payment, or an interested party from initiating contempt proceedings on his own motion.”
Elyse De Stefano v. Apts. Downtown, Inc., 879 N.W.2d 155 (Iowa 2016). · cites it 2× “§ 598.24 (levying costs, including attorney fees against a party in contempt in a divorce proceeding); id.”
Blake Rea v. Iowa Dist. Court for Lee (North) Cnty., 877 N.W.2d 869 (Iowa Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 8× “Iowa Code § 598.24 . Section 598.24 specifically provides that attorney fees and costs may only be awarded, pursuant to this section, in action's for modification, order to show cause or contempt of a dissolution decree, annulment decree, or separate maintenance decide.”
Farrell v. Iowa Dist. Court for Polk Cnty., 747 N.W.2d 789 (Iowa Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 6× “See Iowa Code § 598.24 ; In re Marriage of Anderson, 451 N.”
Peters v. Peters, 214 N.W.2d 151 (Iowa 1974). · cites it 6× “" And § 598.24 of the 1966 Iowa Code provided: "In case either party entered into the contract of marriage in good faith, supposing the other to be capable of contracting, and the marriage is declared a nullity, such fact shall be entered in the decree, and the court may decree…”
Upon the Petition of Brandy Marie Myers, & Concerning, Todd Alan Cosby, 874 N.W.2d 679 (Iowa Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 8× “That statute from the dissolution of marriage chapter provides: When an action for a modification, order to show cause, or contempt of a dissolution, annulment, or separate maintenance decree is brought on the grounds that a party to the decree is in default or contempt of the…”
DeKlotz v. Ford, 332 N.W.2d 110 (Iowa Ct. App. 1982). · cites it 8× “NOTES [1] Iowa Code § 598.24 (1981) provides: 598.24 Contempt proceedings initiated by interested party—costs taxable to party in default.”
In Re the Marriage of Lawson, 409 N.W.2d 181 (Iowa 1987). · cites it 2× “See Iowa Code §§ 598.24 , .36. Cost of the appeal is assessed against respondent.”
Broyles v. Iowa Dep't of Soc. Servs., 305 N.W.2d 718 (Iowa 1981). · cites it 2× “As a welfare recipient, Michelle was required by statute to assign her rights to all support payments provided for in the dissolution decree: Persons entitled to periodic support payments pursuant to an order or judgment entered in an action for dissolution of marriage, who are…”
Wilson v. Fenton, 312 N.W.2d 524 (Iowa 1981). · cites it 2× “An example of a statute providing the necessary authority in a contempt situation is section 598.24. It authorizes recovery of attorney fees as part of the costs in dissolution of marriage contempt cases.”
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