Child Custody Agreement - Iowa

Child Custody Agreement — Iowa

Before you use this: Complete one schedule for each child or identify which children share a schedule. If a custody order exists, check it before signing; submit agreed changes to the court when a change to the order is needed. Safety or domestic-abuse concerns should be addressed in the proposed court order.

This agreement is made on [__/__/____] between [PARENT A FULL NAME], of [ADDRESS], and [PARENT B FULL NAME], of [ADDRESS], concerning the following child or children: [NAMES AND BIRTH DATES]. The parents agree to the terms below and request their inclusion in any resulting Iowa custody order in [COUNTY] County, case number [CASE NUMBER, IF ANY].

1. Legal custody and decisions

The parents request (check one):

☐ Joint legal custody. They will consult in good faith and participate equally in major decisions about each child's legal status, medical care, education, extracurricular activities, and religious instruction.

☐ Sole legal custody to [PARENT NAME]. Major decisions will be made by that parent, subject to the court's order. The other parent will be consulted on [MATTERS, IF ANY].

Either parent may arrange ordinary daily care during that parent's parenting time. For an urgent medical decision, the available parent may act and will promptly inform the other parent. If the court finds a history of domestic abuse, Iowa Code § 598.41(1)(b) creates a rebuttable presumption against joint custody; proposed safety, exchange, and communication terms are [DETAILS OR “NONE”].

2. Physical care and regular parenting time

The parents request the following physical-care arrangement (check one):

☐ Primary physical care: [PARENT NAME] provides primary physical care; the other parent has parenting time under the schedule below.

☐ Joint physical care: Both parents provide physical care under the schedule below. If joint legal custody is awarded, either parent may request joint physical care; the court decides the request under Iowa Code § 598.41(5)(a).

If using alternating weekends, the first such weekend begins [__/__/____]. [PARENT NAME] will provide transportation at the start of each period; [PARENT NAME] will provide transportation at the end. Exchange arrangements and any supervision or safety conditions: [DETAILS OR “NONE”].

For a joint-care schedule, identify the repeating cycle, first day, and where the child sleeps each night: [CYCLE AND OVERNIGHTS]. Summer schedule: [SAME / DIFFERENT SCHEDULE]. Teacher in-service and early-release days: [PARENT OR ARRANGEMENT].

Exchange location: [SCHOOL / PARENT'S HOME / NEUTRAL PLACE AND ADDRESS]. The parent responsible for each exchange will bring the child's needed medication, instructions, school materials, and personal items. If an exchange must change, the parents will confirm the replacement place and time in writing. Safety or supervised-exchange arrangements: [DETAILS OR “NONE”].

3. Holidays, school breaks, and vacations

The following schedule controls over the regular schedule during the listed periods:

Each parent may schedule [NUMBER] days of vacation time each year by giving the other parent [NUMBER] days' written notice. If notices conflict, priority will alternate by calendar year, beginning with [PARENT] in [YEAR]. Any agreement to exchange days will be recorded in writing.

4. Communication and information

During one parent's parenting time, the child may communicate with the other parent by [PHONE/VIDEO/MESSAGING] at [REASONABLE TIMES OR SPECIFIED SCHEDULE]. Both parents will share promptly information about significant illness, injury, school events, and emergency care. Each will keep the other informed of current contact information.

Parent-to-parent routine communications will use [EMAIL / TEXT / CO-PARENTING APP]. Unless the court orders otherwise, both parents retain legal access to the child's medical, educational, and law-enforcement records under Iowa Code § 598.41(1)(e). Each will provide the other with school and care-provider contact details: [METHOD].

5. Relocation

A parent proposing to change a child's primary residence will give the other parent written notice [NUMBER] days before the proposed move, stating the new address if known, proposed move date, and a proposed revised parenting schedule. This is a term the parents request for their order; Iowa Code § 598.21D itself sets no fixed advance-notice period. A move covered by an existing order will comply with that order. If the parents cannot agree on a change needed to preserve the child's relationship with the other parent, either may ask the court to decide it. A qualifying move of 150 miles or more may be considered a substantial change under § 598.21D; it does not change custody automatically.

6. Support and expenses

Child support and medical support will be addressed in [EXISTING COURT ORDER DATE / SEPARATE PROPOSED ORDER]. This agreement does not change an existing support obligation. The parents will divide the following additional expenses as stated: [EXPENSE, SHARE, PAYMENT METHOD, AND REIMBURSEMENT DEADLINE].

7. Disagreements and changes

The parents will first communicate directly about an ordinary scheduling dispute when safe and practical. They may use mediation by mutual agreement or as the court orders. Either parent may seek court relief, including urgent relief when appropriate. A signed scheduling adjustment applies between the parents for the period stated. It does not itself amend an existing court order.

This agreement records the parents' current proposal. It does not waive a child's interests or limit the court's authority to decide custody, physical care, parenting time, or support.

8. Parenting education record

For an action involving custody or visitation, Iowa Code § 598.15 generally requires a court-approved course within 45 days after service of the notice and petition or modification application. The court may waive or delay participation for good cause; the statute also excludes a proceeding involving termination of parental rights. Each parent will file a completion certificate before entry of a final order unless the court has waived or delayed the requirement or it otherwise does not apply.

Parent A signature: _______________________________ Date: [__/__/____]
Printed name: [PARENT A]

Parent B signature: _______________________________ Date: [__/__/____]
Printed name: [PARENT B]

Sources and References

• Iowa Code chapter 598, §§ 598.15, 598.41, and 598.21D