Opinion ID: 2221928
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Should Sue's Property Award be Increased to Compensate her for David's Alleged Domestic Abuse?

Text: The final issue with respect to the division of the parties' property is Sue's contention that she should be awarded an additional share of the parties' assets as compensation for domestic abuse she claims to have suffered. The record is extremely void of any evidence to support this accusation. Nevertheless, even if we assume the record would factually support such an award, there is no legal basis for it. Domestic abuse is not included as a factor to be considered in the division of property in a dissolution action. See Iowa Code § 598.21(1) (listing factors to be considered by the court in equitably dividing the property of the parties). Sue argues that domestic abuse should be considered under the catchall provision, allowing the court to consider [o]ther factors the court may determine to be relevant in an individual case. Id. § 598.21(1)(m). We reject this argument because it would introduce the concept of fault into a dissolution-of-marriage action, a model rejected by our legislature in 1970. See In re Marriage of Williams, 199 N.W.2d 339, 341 (Iowa 1972) (pointing out that legislature eliminated fault as a standard for granting a dissolution). Therefore, we will not make an adjustment in the property award to compensate Sue for the domestic abuse she claims to have suffered.