Filing for Bankruptcy in Iowa

In most respects, filing for bankruptcy in Iowa isn’t any different than filing in another state. The bankruptcy process falls under federal law in Iowa.

By , Attorney

Table of Contents

Facing financial challenges is a part of life. But if you're one of the millions struggling financially due to COVID-19 or another event, bankruptcy can help. Here, you'll find:

  • an explanation about Chapters 7 and 13
  • checklists to help you understand the process and stay organized
  • Iowa's property exemption laws and filing information, and
  • links to our bankruptcy quiz, an online qualifying tool, and other helpful resources.

However, we couldn't squeeze everything into this article, so be sure to check out its companion What You Need to Know to File for Bankruptcy—you'll find lots more details there.

How Bankruptcy Works in Iowa

In most respects, filing for bankruptcy in Iowa isn't any different than filing in another state. The bankruptcy process falls under federal law, not Iowa state law, and it works by unwinding the contracts between you and your creditors—that's what gives you a fresh start.

But Iowa's laws come into play, too, in a significant way. They determine the property you can keep in your bankruptcy case. You'll also need to know other filing information, which we explain after going over some basics.

Choosing the Right Bankruptcy Chapter For You in Iowa

Most people file either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. If you don't know the differences between the two, you're not alone. The short explanation below and our handy Chapter 7 versus 13 chart will help clear things up.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 is often a bankruptcy filer's first choice for several reasons. It's quick—it only takes a few months to complete. And it's cheap—you don't pay anything to creditors. It works well for those of us whose property consists of the essential items needed to live and work.

People with more assets could lose them, however, especially if they own unnecessary luxury items. For instance, you might have to give up your RV, baseball card collection, or timeshare in the Bahamas—even your house or vehicle if you have too much equity in it or you're behind on the payments. Unlike Chapter 13, Chapter 7 doesn't have a payment plan option for catching up on late mortgage or car payments. So you could lose your home or car if you're behind when you file.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy. By contrast, Chapter 13 filers must pay creditors some or all of what they owe using a three- to five-year repayment plan. But the payment plan allows Chapter 13 to offer benefits not available in Chapter 7. For instance, not only do you keep all of your property, but you can save your home from foreclosure or your car from repossession. If you need time to repay a debt you can't discharge in bankruptcy, you can use this chapter to force a creditor into a payment plan. The biggest downside to this chapter? It can be expensive. Many people can't afford the monthly payment. Learn more about when filing Chapter 13 is better than Chapter 7.

Caution for businesspeople. Be sure to learn about the ins and outs of small business bankruptcies. The principles discussed apply to consumers only.

Will Filing Bankruptcy in Iowa Erase My Debts?

Bankruptcy wipes out many bills, like credit card balances, overdue utility payments, medical bills, personal loans, and more. You can even get rid of a mortgage or car payment if you're willing to give up the house or car that secures the debt. (Putting property up as collateral creates a "secured debt"—if you don't pay what you owe, the lender gets to take the property back.)

But you can't discharge all debts. Nondischargeable debts, like domestic support arrearages and recent tax debt, won't go away in bankruptcy, and student loans aren't easy to wipe out (you'd have to win a separate lawsuit). You'll want to be sure that bankruptcy will discharge (get rid of) enough bills to make it worth your while.

Steps in a Iowa Bankruptcy

We all know that seeing the forest helps us recognize the trees, so it's probably a good time to consider the significant steps you'll take during your bankruptcy journey. Think of this checklist as a roadmap of sorts, but you can also use it to track your progress. The good news? You've already made headway on the first two items!

Bankruptcy Steps Checklist

Keeping Property When Filing Bankruptcy in Iowa

You won't lose everything in bankruptcy. You'll use your state bankruptcy exemption laws to protect your property. We list the significant exemptions below, but first, understanding the following will help you maximize what you'll keep in your case.

  • Exempt and nonexempt property. You can keep property protected by an exemption or "exempt" property. When a bankruptcy exemption doesn't cover the property, you'll either lose it in Chapter 7 or have to pay for it in the Chapter 13 repayment plan.
  • Choosing state or federal exemptions. Unlike some other states, you can't choose between the state exemption list and the list of federal bankruptcy exemptions. You must use Iowa's exemptions. But you can use the federal nonbankruptcy exemptions.
  • Doubling exemptions. Spouses filing together can double the exemption amount if both own the property unless noted otherwise.
  • COVID-19 recovery rebate exemption. You might be able to protect stimulus payments, tax credits, and child credits in bankruptcy with the federal recovery rebate exemption.
  • Retirement accounts all filers can protect. Tax-exempt retirement accounts, including 401(K)s, 403(b)s, profit-sharing and money purchase plans, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, and defined benefit plans and traditional and Roth IRAs to $1,362,800 per person (as of June 2021). (11 U.S.C. 522(b)(3)(C); (n).) Learn more about retirement accounts in bankruptcy.

Iowa Bankruptcy Exemptions

Here are some commonly used Iowa bankruptcy exemptions. Iowa adjusts its exemption amounts from time to time, and additional exemptions exist. Check for changes on the Iowa Legislature website.

Iowa Homestead Exemption

The homestead exemption helps you protect your home from creditors. You can protect an unlimited amount of equity in one home or a one-unit apartment, making Iowa's homestead exemption one of the most generous in the country. However, limitations exist. Property located in a city or town cannot be on more than one-half acre or forty acres elsewhere. (Iowa Code §§ 561.2, 561.16, 499A.18.)

Learn more about the requirements you'll need to meet to keep your home in bankruptcy by reading The Iowa Homestead Exemption.

Iowa Motor Vehicle Exemption

You won't lose your transportation but your car will need to be modest. You can protect up to $7,000 in a motor vehicle. (Iowa Code § 627.6.) Find out more about the motor vehicle exemption in bankruptcy.

Iowa Wildcard Exemption

A wildcard exemption allows you to exempt any property of your choosing. Iowa's wildcard exemption can be used to protect up to $1,000 of any personal property including cash (not real estate). (Iowa Code § 627.6(14).)

Other Bankruptcy Exemptions in Iowa

These are additional types of property you'll be able to protect.

  • Alimony, support, and separate maintenance. Exempt if necessary for support (Iowa Code § 627.6(8)(d))
  • Cemeteries and burial property. Up to one acre. (Iowa Code § 627.6)
  • Liquor licenses. (Iowa Code Ann. 123.38)
  • Fraternal benefit society benefits. (Iowa Code §§ 512B.18, 633.333)
  • Insurance benefits. Public employee's group insurance benefits; interest in a life insurance policy if the debtor's spouse, child, or dependent is the beneficiary; group insurance; life insurance proceeds to $15,000 (conditions apply). (Iowa Code §§ 509.12, 509A.9, 511.37 and 627.6)
  • Health and disability insurance. $15,000 (Iowa Code § 627.6)
  • Pension and retirement benefits. Employee pension systems; Social Security and other pensions exempt to the extent necessary for support. (Iowa Code §§ 97A.12, 97B.39, 294.10B, 410.11, 411.13, 627.6, 627.8).
  • Personal property. Up to $7,000 in household goods, clothing, musical instruments; professionally prescribed health aids; up to $2,000 in jewelry; an engagement or wedding ring (if the rings were purchased after marriage and within the last two years, then the exemption is capped at $7,000, minus any amounts already used under the general jewelry exemption); up to $1,000 in private libraries, bibles, and paintings; one shotgun and either a musket or rifle; up to $1,000 in accrued wages and tax refunds. (Iowa Code § 627.6)
  • Public assistance. 100% exempt, including earned income and child tax credits. (Iowa Code §§ 239B.6, 627.6, and 627.19)
  • Trade implements. Up to $10,000 of trade implements. (Iowa Code § 627.6)
  • Unemployment compensation. (Iowa Code §§ 96.15 and 627.6)
  • Veterans' benefits. (Iowa Code § 627.6)
  • Workers' compensation benefits. (Iowa Code § 627.13)
  • Wages. 75% of disposable earnings or 40 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is greater. (Iowa Code §§ 642.21, 537.5105) Accrued wages and tax returns up to $1,000. Iowa also has a complicated alternative method of computing wages. (Iowa Code §§ 627.6, 627.11, 627.12, and 642.21)

Preventing Bankruptcy Exemption Problems

Exempt your property carefully. The bankruptcy trustee—the court-appointed official assigned to manage your case—will review the exemptions. A trustee who disagrees with your exemptions will likely try to resolve the issue informally. If unsuccessful, the trustee will file an objection with the bankruptcy court, and the judge will decide whether you can keep the property.

Example. Mason owns a rare, classic car worth $15,000, but the state vehicle exemption doesn't cover it entirely. Believing that the car qualifies as art—at least in his mind—Mason exempts it using his state's unlimited artwork exemption. The trustee disagrees with Mason's characterization and files an objection with the court. The judge will likely decide the vehicle doesn't qualify as art.

Purposefully making inaccurate statements could be considered fraudulent. Bankruptcy fraud is punishable by up to $250,000, 20 years in prison, or both.

Qualifying for Bankruptcy in Iowa

If you've never filed for bankruptcy before, you'll meet the initial requirement. Otherwise, check whether enough time has passed to allow you to file again. The waiting period varies depending on the chapter previously filed and the chapter you plan to file. Learn more about multiple bankruptcy filings.

You'll also need to meet specific chapter qualifications.

You'll qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy if your family's gross income is lower than the median income for the same size family in your state. Add all gross income earned during the last six months and multiply it by two. Compare the figure to the income charts on the U.S. Trustee's website (select "Means Testing Information").

Want an easy way to do this online? Use the Quick Median Income Test. If you find that you make too much, you still might qualify after taking the second part of the "means test." If, after subtracting expenses, you don't have enough remaining to pay into a Chapter 13 plan, you'll qualify for Chapter 7.

Qualifying for Chapter 13 can be an expensive proposition because the extra benefits come at a hefty price and many people can't afford the monthly payment. To qualify, you'll pay the larger of:

  • your priority nondischargeable debt
  • the value of nonexempt property, or
  • your disposable income.

Find out more about calculating a Chapter 13 bankruptcy payment.

Hiring a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Iowa

Most people find it worthwhile to get counsel. A bankruptcy attorney will help you:

  • qualify for the chapter of your choice
  • determine when it's time to file
  • help you keep the property you want
  • make sure you don't run afoul of fraud or other issues, and
  • explain when you can stop paying the bills you'll erase in your case.

You can expect creditors to call until you file. It's usually best to ignore them because telling creditors about your bankruptcy can encourage them to take more drastic collection steps before losing the right to collect altogether. However, if you hire counsel and refer creditors to your lawyer, they'll have to stop calling you.

Are you curious whether your case is simple enough to file yourself? Our quiz will help you identify potential complications while educating you about the bankruptcy process. You'll find it here: Do I Need a Lawyer to File for Bankruptcy?

Filing Your Bankruptcy in Iowa

Now that you've decided to file, the fun begins! Well, not really. The first step—gathering your financial information—can be a bit of a chore. But using our bankruptcy document checklist should help you organize the things you (or your attorney) will need.

Bankruptcy Document Checklist

Bankruptcy Forms, Means Test Multipliers, and Course Providers

After assembling the documents, your next step will be to prepare the paperwork. Here's what you'll need and where to find it.

  • Bankruptcy forms. You'll find free downloadable bankruptcy forms on the U.S. Courts website.
  • Means test multipliers. Go to the U.S. Trustee website to get the figures needed to complete the means test.
  • Education providers. The U.S. Trustee website also lists providers under "Credit Counseling & Debtor Education." Scroll down until you get to your district. And don't give up—it's a long list. (Individuals must complete credit counseling during the 180 days before filing for bankruptcy and a debt management course after filing the bankruptcy case.)

Iowa Bankruptcy Court Locations

Your case starts when you file your paperwork with the local bankruptcy court and either pay the filing fee or request a fee waiver. You'll find the court's local rules and instructions for filing your case on the court's website (clickable links below).

Iowa has two districts. File your case in the court covering the area you've lived the most during the 180 days before filing (or the last 91 days). Here's where the courts were last we checked (you can verify this using the Federal Court Finder tool):

Northern District of Iowa

Southern District of Iowa
111 7th Ave. SE, 6th Floor
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
(319) 286-2200
320 6th Street
Sioux City, Iowa
(319) 286-2200
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
Southern District of Iowa
110 East Court Avenue
Suite 300
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 284-6230

After Filing for Bankruptcy in Iowa

Your creditors will stop bothering you soon after you file. It takes a few days because the court mails your creditors notice of the "automatic stay" order that prevents most creditors from continuing to ask you to pay them. Here's what will happen next:

  • You'll turn over financial documents proving the statements in your bankruptcy paperwork.
  • You'll attend the 341 meeting of creditors—the one appearance all filers must attend.
  • You'll complete a debtor education course and file the completion certificate.

These things all must happen before you get a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge. Chapter 13 filers will also attend a repayment plan confirmation hearing and complete the three- to five-year payment plan.

Need More Help?

You might not know this, but Nolo has been making the law easy for over fifty years. If you have questions, use the links we've included throughout for more details. Otherwise, you'll find the answers to almost all of your bankruptcy questions at www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/bankruptcy.

Providing all information needed to file for bankruptcy is beyond the scope of this article. If you'd like to file without an attorney, consider buying a self-help book like How to File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy by Attorney Cara O'Neill and Albin Renauer J.D. to help you make well-informed decisions about your bankruptcy matter.

Updated April 23, 2021

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