Information on this web page is general in nature. Descriptions of laws and court procedures are abbreviated. This information is not intended as legal advice. If you do not understand this information or if you need legal advice you should see an attorney.
Procedures to establish paternity and to compel child support by the father can be found in Iowa Code chapters 252F (PDF) and 600B (PDF).
In a case to establish paternity, the court may, on its own motion or at the request of a party, require the child, mother, and alleged father to submit to blood or genetic tests. The party requesting testing must file a written motion with the clerk of court and provide copies to the opposing parties. The judge will then consider the request.
If an expert concludes that the test results show that the alleged father is not excluded and that the probability of the alleged father’s paternity is ninety-five percent or higher, there is a rebuttable presumption that the alleged father is the father. This presumption can be rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence.
Iowa law provides that under certain circumstances paternity that was previously established may be overcome if subsequent blood or genetic testing indicates that the established father of a child is not the child’s biological father.