Iowa · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026
Legal help in Iowa: get back what you're owed
Eight free guides for Iowa, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.
Small Claims Map
Small claims court in Iowa
If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.
- Most you can sue for
- $6,500
- Court
- small claims court
- Filing fee
- $115
- Lawyers
- Optional
Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic
Tenant Rights Map
Renters' rights in Iowa
If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.
- Deadline to return a deposit
- 30 days
- Security deposit limit
- 2 months' rent
- Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
- 3 days
- Notice before the landlord enters
- 24 hours
- Iowa renters' rights guide
- Getting your deposit back in Iowa
- Repairs in Iowa
- Eviction in Iowa
- Deposit return calculator
- Free deposit demand letter
- Free repair request letter
- Eviction notice timeline
Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Wage Claim Map
Unpaid wages in Iowa
If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.
- File a wage claim with
- Iowa Department of Inspections
- Minimum wage (2026)
- $7.25
- Final paycheck if fired
- Next payday
- Deadline to file a wage claim
- 1 year
- Iowa wage claim guide
- Wage-theft calculator
- When was your final paycheck due?
- Free demand letter for unpaid wages
Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Lemon Car Map
Lemon law in Iowa
If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.
- Lemon law period
- 24 mo / 24,000 mi
- What makes it a lemon
- 3 repairs · 1 if unsafe · 30 calendar days
- Covers used cars
- No
- Before you sue
- If maker has a program
Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Tax Appeal Map
Property tax appeals in Iowa
If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.
- Deadline to appeal
- April 2–30 (board of review)
- Where you appeal first
- Local board of review protest (city or county)
- Median effective tax rate
- 1.39%
- Median yearly tax on a home
- $2,897
Closed for 2026The 2026 protest window closed April 30, 2026 (June 5 in 17 disaster-declared counties), and the deadlines to appeal board of review decisions to PAAB or district court passed by early August 2026 at the latest. The next window opens in 2027, a reassessment year: notices go out by April 1, 2027, and you can protest to your board of review from April 2 to April 30, 2027. No protest window is open in October 2026 in the sources checked (the October window in Iowa Code 441.35 follows a state equalization order). (as of October 21, 2026)
Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Exemption Map
Property tax exemptions in Iowa
If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.
- Homestead exemption
- From assessment year 2026
- Homestead deadline
- July 1
- Senior break
- Yes
- Disabled veterans
- Full exemption (100% rating)
- Iowa property tax exemptions
- Eligibility finder for Iowa
- County offices in Iowa
- Breaks for seniors in Iowa
- Breaks for veterans in Iowa
- Breaks for people with disabilities in Iowa
- Breaks for surviving spouses in Iowa
Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Owed Map
Unclaimed money in Iowa
Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.
- Official search
- Great Iowa Treasure Hunt
- Held by the state
- Over $648 million (December 31, 2025)
- Cost to search and claim
- Free
- On MissingMoney.com
- Yes
- Iowa unclaimed money guide
- Search Great Iowa Treasure Hunt (official site)
- Money owed to a relative who died
- Finder fees by state
Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Divorce Law Map
Divorce in Iowa
Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.
- Residency before you can file
- 1 year (with exceptions)
- Waiting period
- 90 days after service
- Filing fee
- $285
Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Deadlines at a glance in Iowa
Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.
| Topic | Deadline or time limit | Rule | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small claims court | Deadline to sue: written contract | 10 years | Small Claims Map |
| Small claims court | Deadline to sue: verbal agreement | 5 years | Small Claims Map |
| Small claims court | Deadline to sue: property damage | 5 years | Small Claims Map |
| Renters' rights | Deadline to return a deposit | 30 days | Tenant Rights Map |
| Renters' rights | Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent | 3 days | Tenant Rights Map |
| Unpaid wages | Deadline to file a wage claim | 1 year | Wage Claim Map |
| Unpaid wages | Final paycheck if fired | Next payday | Wage Claim Map |
| Lemon law | Lemon law period | 24 mo / 24,000 mi | Lemon Car Map |
| Lemon law | Deadline | If the manufacturer has no certified dispute program and you sent the final-repair notice, or a certified program misses its decision deadline, file in district court within 1 year after the Lemon Law rights period (or its extension) ends. | Lemon Car Map |
| Property tax appeals | Deadline to appeal | April 2–30 (board of review) | Tax Appeal Map |
| Property tax exemptions | Homestead deadline | July 1 | Exemption Map |
| Unclaimed money | Deadline to claim | See the guide | Owed Map |
| Divorce | Residency before you can file | 1 year (with exceptions) | Divorce Law Map |
| Divorce | Waiting period | 90 days after service | Divorce Law Map |
Several problems at once? Get one plan for Iowa.
Open the finderOther problems: free official help
RobinClaim doesn't cover debt collectors, scams, custody and child support, and other areas yet. These official and nonprofit services can help in every state:
- Consumer protection office for Iowa (as listed by USA.gov)
- LawHelp.org: legal aid and know-your-rights guides by state
- Legal Services Corporation: find free legal aid near you
- American Bar Association: lawyer referral services by state
- CFPB: your rights with debt collectors
- FTC: report fraud, scams and bad business practices
Links checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed in how we research.