WALK IT THROUGH
55 Iowa situations taken one decision at a time. Every step says what the law asks of each side, cites it, and links to the section it comes from.
55 walkthroughs
Traffic stops, 6 walkthroughs
- The Stop on the InterstateLights and a siren after dark, a passenger told to step out, insurance on a phone, and a question about the trunk.4 steps →
- The Phone on the CommuteA text on the highway, a slow car in the left lane, a bunched up work zone, and an exit across a lane.4 steps →
- The Crash on a County RoadA pickup clips a car at a stop sign, the other driver wants to leave, a passenger hurts, and a deputy arrives.4 steps →
- The Learner at the WheelA permit with a parent's signature, a little brother in the back, a car seat, and a phone that buzzes.4 steps →
- The School Bus MorningAmber lights, a stop arm, a child darting into the road, a four way stop, and an ambulance behind.4 steps →
- The Lights on the ShoulderA trooper on the shoulder, a tow truck after it, a work zone at night, and an oncoming car with its brights on.4 steps →
Being stopped, 3 walkthroughs
- When Police Come to the HouseA knock after a neighbor's call, a roommate who says come in, a red mark, and a call from the jail.4 steps →
- The Arrest and the Morning AfterA warrant for a missed court date, a question in the squad car, a phone at booking, and release in the morning.4 steps →
- The Warrant at the DoorA pounding knock at dawn, a friend told to sit, a warrant to read, and a laptop carried out.4 steps →
Marijuana and drugs, 2 walkthroughs
Impaired driving, 1 walkthroughs
Court and money, 23 walkthroughs
- The Last Day at the JobA notice given, a final check, commission still owed, unused vacation, and an unemployment claim.4 steps →
- The Paycheck That Came LateA payday that slips past the limit, a promise to catch up, a complaint, and a cold shoulder after it.4 steps →
- The Register That Came Up ShortA shared till short at close, a dropped tray of glasses, a lost scanner, and a look at the file.4 steps →
- The Summer JobA young teenager at the pool snack bar, late shifts in July, a meat slicer, and the first paycheck.4 steps →
- Hurt on the JobA back strained lifting freight, a supervisor told late, weekly checks that stop, and two years.3 steps →
- The Drug TestA collection room, a prescription to mention, a positive result by certified mail, and a second sample.3 steps →
- A New BabyA pregnancy announced at work, a leave with no plan behind it, a doctor's note, and nursing at the mall.3 steps →
- The Call to ServeA jury summons, a subpoena in a criminal case, a Guard weekend, and election day at work.4 steps →
- The Comment at WorkA supervisor's remark about age, a promotion that goes elsewhere, a complaint, and a release to sue.3 steps →
- Turned Away at the CounterA restaurant that will not seat a group, a sign in the window, and a complaint to the commission.3 steps →
- The Divorce FilingA petition after a long marriage, a ninety day wait, a farm inherited from a parent, and support for a spouse who stayed home.4 steps →
- The Custody ScheduleJoint custody after a split, a history of abuse, missed visits, and a raise that changes the support math.4 steps →
- The Protective Order HearingA petition after abuse, a temporary order the same day, a hearing within fifteen days, and the guns.4 steps →
- After the FuneralNo will, a spouse and a child from an earlier marriage, a small bank account, and forty days.3 steps →
- The Papers at the Kitchen TableA will with two witnesses, a living will, a health care agent, and a power of attorney for the bank.4 steps →
- A Grandparent Steps InA son dies, his widow stops the visits, and a grandparent goes to court.3 steps →
- Turning Eighteen in IowaMajority on a birthday, registering to vote, a name change, and a marriage that could have come sooner.4 steps →
- The Marriage That Was a LieA spouse still married to someone else, a false age, and a choice between annulment and divorce.3 steps →
- The Salesman at the DoorA siding contract signed on the porch, a cancellation form, a change of heart, and a refund.3 steps →
- The New Car in the ShopThe same transmission defect three times, a letter to the manufacturer, a final repair, and a buyback.3 steps →
- The Judgment and the TruckA small claim lost, a collector who calls the debtor a criminal, a garnishment, and a work truck.4 steps →
- The Records RequestA city's police overtime records, photos instead of copies, a long wait, and a closed meeting.4 steps →
- The Dog at the ParkA dog that bites a jogger, an owner who says it never bit before, a small claim, and two years to sue.3 steps →
Your home, 9 walkthroughs
- The Deposit That Did Not Come BackMoving out, a forwarding address, a month of silence, and a list of charges for ordinary wear.3 steps →
- The Landlord at the DoorA landlord with a key and no notice, a burst pipe, a week away, and showings every evening.4 steps →
- The Cold ApartmentThe furnace quits in January, a space heater on the rent, a written notice, and a rent increase that follows.4 steps →
- The Notice on the DoorRent short after a cut in hours, a three day notice, a court date eight days out, and a judgment.3 steps →
- The LockoutNew locks while the tenant is at work, belongings inside, and the water shut off.3 steps →
- The Month to MonthA lease that ran out, late fees on a small rent, a move to a new job, and thirty days counted from the rental date.3 steps →
- The Call from the ApartmentA partner turns violent, a call to police, a lease clause about calls, and a fine from the landlord.3 steps →
- The Apartment That Was Not ReadyA move in day with no keys, a hotel, a written notice, and a question about children.3 steps →
- The Winter ShutoffA disconnection notice in November, energy assistance, a deployed spouse, and a complaint that does not settle.3 steps →
Recording, 1 walkthroughs
Carrying a firearm, 2 walkthroughs
Charges and penalties, 3 walkthroughs
- The Shoplifting StopStopped at the door, a back office search, a small charge, and a record years later.4 steps →
- The Borrowed TruckA roommate takes a truck without asking, gets pulled over on a suspended license, and has no insurance card.3 steps →
- The Stolen IdentityA credit card opened in someone else's name, a collector calling about it, and how big the theft was.3 steps →
How you carry yourself, 5 walkthroughs
- The Argument in the DrivewayA shove over a fence line, a rifle pointed across the yard, and a shot fired into the air.3 steps →
- The Graduation PartyBeer in the kitchen, a cousin not yet twenty one, a vape in the garage, and a borrowed license.4 steps →
- The Fourth of JulyFireworks in the backyard, an empty lot next door, a city ordinance, and a teenager with cash.4 steps →
- The Fight Outside the BarSlurs at closing time, a shove that leaves a cut, an arm pulled away from an officer, and an arrest.4 steps →
- The Ex Who Keeps TextingMessages at all hours, a car outside the house, a tracker on the bumper, and a petition.3 steps →
About this guide — education built from the Iowa Code as the Iowa Legislature publishes it, not a law degree in a webpage. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Iowa attorney or a legal aid office. Current as of October 2026.