Legal Status of Women in Iowa

The work provides a concise, practical overview of state law as it affects women, opening with a synopsis of applicable common law and tracing statutory changes. It reviews marriage formalities and rights, property and contractual capacities of married women, remedies, divorce, annulment, alimony, and child custody. It explains minors’ law, guardianship, apprenticeship and adoption, wills, administration, descent and homestead exemptions, and the widow’s and children’s allowances. Criminal provisions relating to sexual offences, illegitimacy, and related civil remedies are summarized. A final section gathers miscellaneous provisions on employment, testimony, eligibility for office, and recommends legal reforms to address hardships faced by married women.