When a Family Emergency Happens Over the Holidays: What Iowa Families Need to Know

Dec 24

The holidays are supposed to be a time of connection, but they are also one of the most common times for legal emergencies to surface. Families are together, routines change, and underlying health, financial, and personal issues often come to the surface.

At Iowa River Legal, we regularly see emergency situations arise around this time of year. Knowing what to do — and who can act — can make a stressful situation much easier to manage.

Here are some of the most common legal emergencies Iowa families face during the holidays, and what you should know if they happen to you.

1. A Loved One Is Hospitalized or Unable to Make Decisions

If someone becomes ill or injured and cannot make their own medical or financial decisions, having the right legal documents in place matters.

In Iowa, the most important documents are:

Durable Power of Attorney
Health Care Power of Attorney
Living Will

If these documents exist, the person named can usually step in and make decisions.

If they do not exist, families may need to seek an emergency guardianship or conservatorship through the court.

These can be filed on an emergency basis, even during the holidays, but they require proper paperwork and court approval.

2. Dementia or Mental Health Crises

It is common for families to realize something is wrong when they gather for the holidays. Loved ones may:

Forget where they are
Become confused or agitated
Wander
Refuse care

In severe cases, Iowa law allows for emergency mental health or protective proceedings to help ensure a person’s safety. These cases move quickly but still require legal filings and court involvement.

3. Arrests and Criminal Charges

Law enforcement and jails do not close for the holidays. If someone is arrested:

Bond hearings still happen
Court deadlines still apply
Evidence preservation still matters

Waiting until “after the holidays” can seriously hurt a case. Early legal advice protects rights from the very beginning.

4. What Is Actually Open During the Holidays

Many people are surprised to learn:

Courts may be closed
Clerks may be on limited schedules
Judges still review emergency filings
Law enforcement and hospitals remain fully operational

Emergency legal filings, including conservatorships and protective orders, can still be submitted when necessary — but they must be done properly.

5. When to Talk to a Lawyer

You should seek legal help immediately if:

A loved one cannot make decisions and no POA exists
Someone is being financially exploited
A mental health or safety crisis is happening
Someone has been arrested
You are being asked to sign or authorize something under pressure

The sooner you act, the more options you have.

Local Help Matters

When emergencies happen, it is important to have a lawyer who understands Iowa law, Iowa courts, and the local systems that actually handle these cases.

At Iowa River Legal, we work with families throughout Hardin County and surrounding communities when life takes an unexpected turn — even during the holidays.

If you or someone you love is facing a legal emergency, we are here to help. Please book an appointment at the link below.

Iowa River Legal, PLLC

Rooted in Community. Driven by Justice.