Cars are an important asset, and are often the subject of dispute in a divorce—whether the couple owns or leases one car or multiple cars. Because cars are property and often purchased or leased with marital assets (funds), they are subject to the court’s decisions on how to divide the property. If the parties to a divorce are not able to agree on the transfer of ownership (title) and responsibility for payment of any car loans and insurance, the judge or jury may make these decisions for the parties.

In Iowa, as in many states, cars are considered part of the marital estate and are subject to division during a divorce. Iowa follows the 'equitable distribution' principle, which means that the court will divide marital property, including cars, in a way that is fair but not necessarily equal. If a couple cannot agree on how to divide their vehicles, the court will consider factors such as the length of the marriage, the contribution of each spouse to the acquisition of the property, and the economic circumstances of each spouse. The court will then make a decision on who gets which vehicle, how to transfer the title, and who will be responsible for any remaining car loans and insurance payments. It's important to note that the division of property in Iowa is influenced by the concept of 'marital assets,' which includes any property acquired or leased with funds earned during the marriage. Therefore, even if a car is in one spouse's name, it may still be considered a marital asset if marital funds were used to purchase or lease it.