If you get a document from the court served on you at home or work then you must respond to it through a lawyer or on your own.  Civil procedure laws in Iowa only allow for a person to respond with a motion or an answer within 20 days.  If you do not respond within 20 days a default judgment may be entered against you.  What this means is that the court may rule in the case as if you came but said nothing in your defense and you may be forced to pay money or comply with other provisions in the court order. 
Reference: Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure 53 (2001). Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure 1.303 (2002).

Author: Iowa Concern Attorney