Which Iowa court hears your civil case
Civil jurisdiction thresholds with statutory authority. Source: 1Court Directory, verified 2026-08-20 (official source).
| Tier | Court | Amount in controversy | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small claims | District Court: Small Claims | Up to $6,500 | Iowa Code § 631.1 |
| General civil | District Court Over $6,500. | No limit | Iowa Code § 602.6101 |
Answer deadline after service
A defendant generally has 20 days after service of the summons and complaint to file an answer (Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.303(1)). Note: 10-day notice of intent to seek default required if the defendant has appeared (Rule 1.972(2)).
11 Iowa forms SimpleCase prepares
Generated from your uploaded complaint, with captions and terminology matched to Iowa practice. Every document is a draft for attorney review.
- Original NoticeIowa R. Civ. P. 1.302 / 1.303(1): 20-day answer
- Civil Cover SheetIowa District Court: EDMS electronic filing
- Return of ServiceIowa R. Civ. P. 1.308: proof of service
- Application to Defer Payment of CostsIowa Code § 610.1: cost deferral
- DismissalIowa R. Civ. P. 1.943: without prejudice before trial
- Application for Default and Default JudgmentIowa R. Civ. P. 1.971-1.972: 10-day notice if appeared
- Affidavit of Non-Military ServiceSCRA: 50 U.S.C. § 3931
- Default JudgmentRules 1.971-1.977: interest per Iowa Code § 535.3
- General Execution / Garnishment: WagesIowa Code ch. 642: § 642.21 annual caps + federal 25%
- General Execution / Garnishment: AccountsIowa Code ch. 642: financial institution garnishment
- Debtor's ExaminationIowa Code § 630.1: post-judgment asset discovery
Filing packages
One click assembles the forms a Iowa matter typically needs at each stage.
General Civil
Original Notice · Civil Cover Sheet · Return of Service
Collections: File & Serve
Original Notice · Civil Cover Sheet · Return of Service
Collections: Default Judgment
Application for Default and Default Judgment · Affidavit of Non-Military Service · Default Judgment
Collections: Enforce Judgment
General Execution / Garnishment: Wages · General Execution / Garnishment: Accounts · Debtor's Examination
Fee Waiver
Application to Defer Payment of Costs
Voluntary Dismissal
Dismissal
County-level court details
Filing fees, clerk contacts, e-filing portals, and courthouse addresses for every Iowa county are in the 1Court Directory: Iowa.
How it works
Upload your case document
PDF, Word, image, or text. SimpleCase extracts parties, claims, amounts, and dates.
Confirm venue and court
For unfiled cases, SimpleCase suggests the county, court level, and courthouse, with the statutory basis shown.
Generate the package
Every required form, filled and assembled as a ZIP, ready for attorney review and filing.
Turn a complaint into a filing-ready case
Your first 3 cases are free. No card required.
Try SimpleCase freeSimpleCase prepares document drafts for attorney review; it is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by using it. Court data on this page is sourced from the 1Court Directory with the verification date shown, and statutes and court rules change: always confirm current requirements, deadlines, and fees with the clerk of the court before filing.