When execution against the property of a judgment debtor, or one of several debtors in the same judgment, has been issued from the district court or an appellate court to the sheriff of the county where such debtor resides, or if the debtor does not reside in the state, to the sheriff of the county where the judgment was rendered, and execution issued thereon is returned unsatisfied in whole or in part, the owner of the judgment is entitled to an order for the appearance and examination of the debtor.
Iowa Code § 630.1