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IA SF374
IA SF374A bill for an act relating to payment of reasonable attorney fees for contempt relative to a dissolution of marriage proceeding.(See SF 521.)
summary
Introduced
02/19/2025
02/19/2025
In Committee
02/19/2025
02/19/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill allows a court that finds a person has willfully disobeyed a temporary order or final decree in a dissolution of marriage proceeding to direct the person to pay the reasonable attorney fees incurred by a party as a result of the person’s actions constituting contempt.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing Iowa law related to dissolution of marriage (divorce) proceedings by expanding a court's ability to impose financial penalties on individuals found in contempt of court. Specifically, the bill allows a court to order a person who has willfully disobeyed a temporary order or final decree in a divorce case to pay the reasonable attorney fees incurred by the other party as a direct result of their contemptuous actions. This provision provides an additional legal mechanism to encourage compliance with court orders and compensate the party who was forced to pursue legal action to enforce the original court order. By enabling courts to mandate attorney fee reimbursement in cases of contempt, the bill aims to create a stronger deterrent against deliberately ignoring judicial directives in divorce-related matters and to help offset the legal expenses of the party seeking enforcement.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 521. S.J. 425. (on 03/05/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF374 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF374.html |
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