Iowa Code Title VI. Human Services [Chs. 216-255A] § 249B.5. Filing and docketing of financial responsibility order--order effective as court decree

A true copy of an order entered by the department pursuant to this chapter, along with a true copy of the return of service if applicable, may be filed in the office of the clerk of the district court in the county in which the institutionalized spouse resides. Upon filing, the clerk shall enter the order in the judgment docket, and the department's order shall be presented to the district court for ex parte review and approval, and unless defects appear on the face of the order or on the attachments, the district court shall approve the order and the order has the force, effect, and attributes of a docketed order or decree of the district court.