FAMILY LAW

Family law is a wide-ranging field that includes everything from divorce to adoption. Regardless of what kind of legal counsel you’re seeking, though, the best place to start is with answers. Below, you’ll find information about family-related legal concerns and Iowa’s approach to resolving them. Once you’ve had a chance to review the facts, we invite you to reach out and set up a consultation with our experienced family law attorney.

Divorce

Iowa is a no-fault state, which means that in order to get a divorce, you don’t have to prove that your spouse necessarily did anything wrong. Rather, the state recognizes that marriages end for all kinds of reasons, including general incompatibility.

As you enter into the divorce process, there are several important topics of discussion that you and your ex will need to negotiate. Among those topics are alimony, child custody, child visitation, and child support.

Alimony (a.k.a. “Spousal Support”)

Iowa recognizes three different types of alimony: traditional, rehabilitative, and reimbursement.

• Traditional alimony refers to a scenario in which one spouse worked during the marriage while the other took the lead on homemaking tasks. In these cases, the working spouse will typically have to pay the nonworking spouse for years.

• Rehabilitative alimony is a temporary payment made toward the nonworking spouse. This short-term alimony acts as a cushion for the nonworking spouse while they take steps to become more employable and therefore self-sufficient.

• Reimbursement alimony is just what it sounds like. If, during a short marriage, one spouse financially supported the other, the supported spouse may be asked to pay that money back.

Until you discuss your specific circumstances with an experienced attorney, it can be difficult to know what you can claim or deny in terms of alimony payments. Fortunately for you, our firm is conveniently located in Iowa City, and we’re happy to work with family law clients throughout eastern Iowa.

Child Custody, Visitation, and Support

When it comes to child custody, visitation, and support, every family law court in the state has the same goal: to do what’s in the best interests of the child or children involved. As a parent, that should be at the center of each decision you make throughout the divorce process, too — regardless of how amicable or high-conflict your separation may be.

As your legal counsel, we’ll offer guidance backed by decades of experience and a genuine investment of your family’s well-being. From the moment you meet with us, you’ll know that we’re looking out for both you and your kids.

Adoption

How you make your way through the adoption process depends on a variety of factors. Ask yourself the following questions and you’re already taking a big step in the right direction:

• Am I interested in adopting a baby? Toddler? Pre-teen? Teen?

• Am I willing to adopt internationally? Interracially?

• Would foster care be a better option for my family?

• Do I have the necessary means to support a child?

Answering these questions not only helps you figure out what you’re looking for, but it also gets you and your adopting agency that much closer to finding your child. On the other hand, maybe you’ve already started the adoption process and hit a snag. Either way, we at Spies & Pavelich encourage you to contact us for more answers and the legal backing you need to get the adoption process moving along.