Iowa Code Title XV. Judicial Branch and Judicial Procedures [Chs. 595-686] § 614.15. Spouse failing to join in conveyance

1. In all cases where the holder of the legal or equitable title or estate to real estate situated within this state, prior to July 1, 1981, conveyed the real estate or any interest in the real estate by deed, mortgage, or other instrument, and the spouse failed to join in the conveyance, the spouse or the heirs at law, personal representatives, devisees, grantees, or assignees of the spouse are barred from recovery unless suit is brought for recovery within one year after July 1, 1991. But in case the right to the distributive share has not accrued by the death of the spouse executing the instrument, then the one not joining is authorized to file in the recorder's office of the county where the land is situated, a notice with affidavit setting forth affiant's claim, together with the facts upon which the claim rests, and the residence of the claimants. If the notice is not filed within two years from July 1, 1991, the claim is barred forever. Any action contemplated in this section may include land situated in different counties, by giving notice as provided by section 617.13.

2. In all cases where the holder of the legal or equitable title or estate to real estate situated within this state, after July 1, 1981, conveyed the real estate or any interest in the real estate by deed, mortgage, or other instrument, and the spouse failed to join in the conveyance, the spouse or the heirs at law, personal representative, devisees, grantees, or assignees of the spouse are barred from recovery unless suit is brought for recovery within ten years from the date of the conveyance. However, in the case where the right to the distributive share has not accrued by the death of the spouse executing the instrument, then the party not joining is authorized to file in the recorder's office in the county where the land is situated, a notice with affidavit setting forth the affiant's claim, together with the facts upon which the claim is based, and the residence of the claimants. If the notice is not filed within ten years from the date of the execution of the instrument the claim is barred forever. Any action contemplated in this section may include land situated in different counties by giving notice as provided in section 617.13. The effect of filing the notice with affidavit shall extend for a further period of ten years the time within which the action may be brought. Successive notices may be filed extending this period.