IF YOU ARE FACING THE END OF A MARRIAGE, THE NEXT PHONE CALL YOU MAKE SHOULD BE TO A SKILLED AND EXPERIENCED SIOUX CITY DIVORCE ATTORNEY. THERE’S TOO MUCH AT STAKE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN TO TRY TO HANDLE THE FILINGS ON YOUR OWN OR TO CHOOSE A RANDOM ATTORNEY FROM THE INTERNET./
Strong legal representation can make the difference for years to come in your child custody, finances and property.
Hire a skilled Sioux City divorce lawyer who knows how to represent his clients aggressively.
No matter your situation, divorce is a big decision and can be very complex. This is true whether you are the one who wants to get a divorce or are the person who was served papers. It affects you on a deeply personal level and can be emotionally draining. Going through a divorce ranks as one of life’s greatest stressors. Unfortunately, a substantial portion of marriages in the United States end up in divorce.
At Hall Law Firm P.L.C., a Sioux City divorce lawyer has years of experience handling cases in Iowa, and we understand that you likely have concerns that are specific to your situation. Our divorce lawyers are happy to speak to you directly about those concerns. If you’d like to learn more about general issues surrounding divorce in Iowa, call a Sioux City divorce lawyer at (712) 226-4255 for a free consultation.
WHEN TO HIRE A SIOUX CITY DIVORCE LAWYER
A Sioux City divorce lawyer will advise you that if you and your spouse can reach an amicable agreement on all your issues, you can file an “uncontested” divorce. This will save you will save both time and money in court costs. Whatever you agree to must be presented to a family court judge whose job is to approve your petition. Even if you make an uncontested filing, it’s still a good idea to hire a divorce lawyer. If, on the other hand, your divorce is contested, or if you have young children, it is quite likely you will need to retain an experienced Sioux City divorce lawyer.
ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATIVES TO DIVORCE?
There are three: annulment, legal separation for a period of time (a “trial” divorce), and informal mediation involving both spouses.
KEYS TO HIRING A SIOUX CITY DIVORCE ATTORNEY
- Do your research: Look at law firm and consumer review websites that you trust. Does the website of the Sioux city divorce attorney give you good, usable information? Does the attorney appear seasoned?
- Meet the Sioux City divorce lawyer in person: People who hire divorce lawyers tend to be intimately involved with them for a period of time because the decision-making is more of a partnership. You must be comfortable with, and able to trust, your divorce lawyer.
- Talk to more than one divorce lawyer: Shop around. Don’t hire someone just because they gave you a bit of their “free time.” And if they use this to guilt you into hiring them, move on. Different Iowa divorce attorneys often have different approaches. The interview is your chance to not only hire the right Sioux City divorce lawyer, but to understand multiple approaches to your situation.
- Don’t base your decision on lofty promises: The higher the expectations your prospective Sioux City divorce lawyer offers, the less comfortable you should be. You’re not buying a new car or a washing machine. Remember this: in a contested divorce: the higher the promises of your divorce lawyer, the more your partner is likely to resist, and the longer it could take to hammer out a final decree.
- Move on quickly if it’s not working out: Don’t be afraid to “jump ship” if things aren’t working out as your Sioux City divorce lawyer “promised.”
QUESTIONS TO ASK A SIOUX CITY DIVORCE LAWYER
There are many aspects of the dissolution of a marriage. Be prepared to ask questions that will clarify issues such as division of property, assets, debts, retirement accounts and real estate. Discuss spousal support (a.k.a. alimony) with your Sioux City divorce lawyer. Is a judge likely to award it? Also discuss the legal and physical custody of children, visitation and child support. To get some of your initial questions answered, contact an attorney at Hall Law Firm at (712) 226-4255 for a free consultation.
UNDERSTANDING DIVORCE LAW IN IOWA
Iowa is a “no-fault” state, which means you do not have to prove your spouse caused the marriage to fail, nor does your spouse need to prove that you caused the marriage to fail. You must live in Iowa for one year before you can file for a divorce in Iowa courts. However, if your spouse resides in Iowa, you may be able to file now. A Sioux City divorce lawyer can answer all your questions about when, how and where to file.
CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION/PARENTING TIME
CHILD CUSTODY CAN BE THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUE DURING THE DIVORCE PROCESS
Parents involved in a child custody action or divorce will have to take a class called “Children in the Middle,” which is required by Iowa statute. For a complete discussion of child custody and family law in Iowa, click here.
The person awarded visitation or parenting time is referred to as the noncustodial parent, and the other parent is referred to as the person with primary care or the primary caretaker. There are circumstances where the court may award the parties joint physical care/custody. The Sioux City divorce attorneys at Hall Law Firm, P.L.C. will discuss these factors with every client confidentially. Give us a call today at (712) 226-4255 and schedule a free consultation.
HOW TO CONSIDER CHILDREN IN THE DIVORCE
Children can be the hardest part or any divorce, especially if you and your spouse have strong personalities. This is why you need to remember that in a divorce, the children’s interests trump the parents’ every time! All divorce judges rule for the children first. So even if you and your spouse become sworn enemies, you must set those differences aside and be committed to making your post-divorce family work. Listen to your Sioux City divorce lawyer when it comes to the children. You’ll save lots of time and money and preserve peace of mind for all involved.
CHILD SUPPORT AND YOUR DIVORCE
Iowa requires that both parents support their children financially. In many cases, the Iowa court will require one parent, usually the noncustodial parent, to pay a reasonable amount of financial support to the custodial parent. In most cases, parents are obligated to support their children until they turn 18 years of age. Sometimes parents can be required to pay child support past the age of 18. The amount of child support depends primarily on each parent’s income and other resources and how much time each parent spends with the children.
In some cases, no party may be ordered to pay child support after a divorce if the parents have similar incomes and spend the same amount of time with the children. A Sioux City divorce attorney can explain whether this applies to you. In addition, the cost of health insurance will play a factor in the final child support calculation. Ultimately, the judge is expected to follow the Iowa Child Support Guidelines according to Iowa Court Rules, unless doing so would be unjust or inappropriate.
If you already have an existing child support order in place, it may be necessary to have it modified. In order to qualify for a modification, there must be a substantial change in financial or physical circumstances. Talk to a Sioux City divorce attorneys at Hall Law Firm, P.L.C. to determine whether your current child support order qualifies for modification. The initial consultation is free, so call us at (712) 226-4255.
PROPERTY DIVISION IN A DIVORCE
The division of marital property is based upon equitable distribution. It is important that your Sioux City divorce lawyer make the proper analysis of assets so that you get your fair share. The court divides the marital property between the parties as it deems equitable and just, sometimes setting aside any inherited property or gifts received individually.
Some of the factors the court considers are:
- The property brought to the marriage by each party
- The financial contribution of each party to the marriage
- The past contribution by one party to the education or increased earning power of the other
- The present and future earning potential of each party
- The physical and emotional health of the parties
- The desirability of awarding the family home to the party with custody of the children.
DETERMINATION OF SPOUSAL SUPPORT IN A DIVORCE
THE COURT WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY AWARD SPOUSAL SUPPORT AS PART OF A DIVORCE PROCEEDING.
Courts will look at the parties’ incomes, the duration of the marriage, and support of the children when determining whether to award spousal support. As you can see, there are several considerations made in the divorce process. We encourage you to contact the Iowa divorce attorneys at Hall Law Firm, P.L.C. at (712) 226-4255 to learn more about your options.
WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE TELLING MY PARTNER I WANT A DIVORCE?
First, the worst thing you can do is ambush your partner by having papers served when they are not expecting them. That is a sure-fire road to an emotional, acrimonious and lengthy fight. You owe your spouse (and kids, if you have any) more than that. Be true in your attempts at civility.
- Try to have the initial divorce conversation privately where you can talk without interruption. Do NOT choose a crowded restaurant! And make sure the kids are nowhere around during and after your conversation. Send them to visit grandparents or on an overnight sleepover with their friends.
- Keep calm, speak quietly, and try very hard not to be accusatory toward your spouse in any way. And be prepared for your spouse to react emotionally, especially if they are not expecting your news.
- Be sure to give them every opportunity to speak their mind. And do your very best to listen to them without prejudice, even if you disagree with everything they say.
How you present the “bad news” to your spouse, and whether you can remain calm and non-accusatory throughout the conversation, might greatly reduce the amount of blowback you get at the time and down the road.
HOW LONG WILL MY DIVORCE TAKE?
The length of time a divorce takes depends on how many contentious issues there are (alimony, child issues, division of property) and how far the two of you are from agreeing. But other than a few emergency exceptions, no Iowa divorce can be finalized in less than 90 days of service of the original notice. The less the two of you agree on, the more time it will take.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WHEN FILING FOR DIVORCE?
A lot of issues can influence what to expect once you file (and have divorce papers served). If the two of you agree on division of property and alimony, and minor children are not involved, a no-fault divorce will usually present few challenges.
But if you do not agree, or if children are involved, it could take months for the two of you – and your respective Sioux City divorce attorneys – to reach an agreement. And that can take significantly longer than the 90-day minimum amount of time between service and the final divorce decree. If it turns out that the judge has to step in to settle all contested issues, it could take even longer. The more emotionally attached one or both of you are to these issues, the more time it will take. A Sioux City divorce lawyer can assess the unique aspects of your case to give you a better idea about how long your divorce may take. Call us at (712) 226-4255 to find out more.
WHERE TO FILE FOR DIVORCE
Iowa divorce petitions can be filed in the county where either spouse lives. If the defendant spouse is an Iowa resident who was personally served legal papers, there is no residency requirement for the filing spouse. Otherwise, there is a one-year residency requirement.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER DURING A DIVORCE
The time involved in reaching the final decree is going to be longer when a divorce is contested. Eventually, the best accommodations are realized through “give and take.” For example, one spouse keeps the house, the other gets the lion’s share of savings and investments. One thing to avoid is using child custody or visitation as a “bargaining chip” in order to get more property or a higher amount of alimony.
WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE FILING FOR A DIVORCE?
All situations are unique to the couple that is divorcing, and your Sioux City divorce lawyer can explain which considerations are most important. But some general actions one should consider before filing include:
- Get your finances in order and have up to date copies of all those records.
- Get your personal affairs in order. It’s also a good idea to avoid dating others during the divorce process.
- Save as much money as possible.
- Start keeping a journal of events leading up to the divorce and keep adding to it as you work your way through the legal system.
- If possible, try to seek couples’ therapy. If your spouse resists, see a therapist on your own.
- Investigate all divorce alternatives, such as a trial separation or mediation.
Contact Us Today!
Divorce can be a trying and difficult time. The experienced family law attorneys at Hall Law Firm P.L.C. will treat your case with the care and compassion you deserve. Let us help you through this time, and we’ll take care of you. Send us an email, or call us at (712) 226-4255 to start your FREE consultation, today!
DIVORCE STATISTICS
It is generally accepted that half of the couples who marry will eventually divorce. But according to data from the National Survey of Family Growth, the probability that a first marriage would last at least a decade was 68 percent for women and 70 percent for men. The probability that they would make it to 20 years was 52 percent for women and 56 for men.
The age at which we marry may have an effect on our chances of divorce. According to research published in Psych Central, an independent mental health online resource, those who marry before age 25 tend to be more likely to divorce than those who marry after that age.
REPRESENTING MEN, WOMEN AND SAME SEX COUPLES IN DIVORCE CASES
No matter whether a marriage is between a man and woman or two of the same sex, the Iowa divorce laws apply equally to all legally married couples. That’s why a Sioux City divorce lawyer at Hall Law Firm serves all married Iowans, represents each one’s interests to the best of our ability, and tailors our approach to your personal and unique circumstances. To find out more about how a Sioux City divorce lawyer can help you resolve your divorce and move on to the next chapter in your life, call us at (712) 226-4255. The initial consultation is free.
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