1.403(1) Generally. A pleading which sets forth a claim for relief, whether an original claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, or cross-petition, shall contain a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief and a demand for judgment for the type of relief sought. Relief in the alternative or of several different types may be demanded. Except in small claims and cases involving only liquidated damages, a pleading shall not state the specific amount of money damages sought but shall state whether the amount of damages meets applicable jurisdictional requirements for the amount in controversy. The specific amount and elements of monetary damages sought may be obtained through discovery.
Rule 1.403.Claims for relief
Division IV: Pleadings and Motions · Last amended February 15, 2002 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1.403 requires any pleading asking for relief to give a short, plain statement showing entitlement to it and a demand for judgment, but — apart from small claims and liquidated-damages cases — bars stating a specific dollar amount and instead requires only a statement that the claim meets the court's jurisdictional amount-in-controversy requirement.
Full Text of Rule 1.403
(2) Petition. The petition shall state whether it is at law or in equity.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1.403(1) covers every pleading that seeks relief, whether it is an original petition, a counterclaim, a cross-claim, or a cross-petition: it must contain a short and plain statement of the claim showing the pleader is entitled to relief, along with a demand for judgment identifying the relief sought. A party can demand relief in the alternative or of several different types within the same pleading.
Iowa takes a distinctive approach to dollar figures. Outside of small claims cases and cases involving only liquidated damages, a pleading cannot state the specific amount of money damages sought. Instead, it must state whether the damages claimed meet the applicable jurisdictional requirements for the amount in controversy — that is, whether the claim belongs in the court where it was filed. The actual dollar figure and the elements making it up are left to be developed through discovery rather than announced up front in the pleading itself.
Rule 1.403(2) adds one more requirement specific to the petition: it must state whether the case is brought at law or in equity, a distinction that still carries meaning under Iowa practice even though the rules otherwise treat pleadings uniformly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to state an exact dollar figure for damages in an Iowa petition?
Not in most cases. Rule 1.403(1) bars stating a specific amount of money damages, except in small claims actions and cases involving only liquidated damages. Instead, the pleading states only whether the damages meet the applicable jurisdictional amount-in-controversy requirement.
Are small claims cases treated differently for pleading a dollar amount?
Yes. Rule 1.403(1) carves out small claims actions, along with cases involving only liquidated damages, from the general bar on stating a specific dollar figure.
How does the other side learn the exact amount I'm seeking if I can't plead a number?
Through discovery. Rule 1.403(1) states that the specific amount and elements of the monetary damages sought may be obtained through discovery rather than from the pleading itself.
Can I ask for more than one kind of relief in the same claim?
Yes. Rule 1.403(1) allows relief in the alternative or of several different types to be demanded in a single pleading.
Does my petition need to say whether it's a law action or an equity action?
Yes. Rule 1.403(2) requires the petition to state whether it is at law or in equity.
Source & verification. Rule text and the Comment are
reproduced verbatim from the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the
Iowa Supreme Court. Last verified July 15, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: iowa petition damages amount ruleiowa cannot state specific dollar amountjurisdictional amount in controversy iowaiowa petition law or equitydemand for judgment iowa pleading