Week 1
First meeting and a checklist of what to gather.
Uncontested divorce timeline
About four months for most couples.
Iowa law does not let a judge finalize a divorce until 90 days after the other spouse has been served or has signed an acceptance of service, so no one can do it in less than three months.
Talk through your timeline →Step by step
Weeks 2 and 3
We draft the petition, both financial affidavits and the settlement agreement. If you have children, we draft the parenting plan too.
Weeks 3 and 4
We file electronically with the Polk County District Court and your spouse signs an acceptance of service. That starts the 90-day clock.
Days 30 to 90
Both parents finish the parenting class and both spouses sign the final agreement.
After day 90
The judge signs the decree, usually without anyone going to the courthouse.
What can slow it down
Most delays are practical, not mysterious.
A spouse who stops answering.
A pension that needs a separate court order to split.
A refinance on the house.
Dallas County cases, including Waukee and part of West Des Moines, follow the same 90-day rule.
Flat-fee divorces
Know the legal fee before you begin.
$1,950 for an uncontested divorce without children. $2,650 with children, including the parenting plan and child support worksheet. The court filing fee is separate.
The firm represents one spouse. The other spouse is welcome to have their own lawyer read the papers.
See all fees