Selecting an attorney for your legal case is a very important decision. Please enter a zip code to find an attorney in your area:
Child Custody News
Should You Hire a Lawyer
You are not required to have a lawyer to seek custody. The decision to proceed with or without a lawyer is left to each party. In making this decision you should be aware many people find that the paperwork required is complex. You should also be aware that if you decide not to use a lawyer, the other party may still use a lawyer and you may be at a disadvantage if you proceed without a lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer you will be expected to know all the laws and court rules which apply to your case as if you were a lawyer.
If you decide to hire a lawyer, you may hire a lawyer for “full service” representation (handling every aspect of your case), or, you may hire a lawyer for “limited” representation (handling only a part of your case). A lawyer hired for “limited” representation may consult with you on a specific issue in your case, conduct legal or factual research for you, prepare your forms or other documents, advise you on litigation procedures or strategy, or represent you for one motion.
The court may make decisions that could have a significant impact on you. Free legal advice may be available to you through CLEAR (888) 201-1014 or from other legal services in your county. If you are the victim of domestic violence, there may be additional programs through the bar association to help you obtain free legal advice, or you may call the statewide Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 562-6025. Some counties have domestic relations or family law facilitators located in the courthouse who cannot provide legal advice, but, who can offer limited assistance in completing the necessary paperwork.
The courts use the best interests of the child when determining custody.
Some factors that may determine custody of a child include the childs age, sex, and mental and physical health; the parent's mental and physical health; the parent's lifestyle and social factors; the parent's ability to provide for the child; the child's preference (if the child is above a certain age), and the child's established living pattern (school, home, religious institution, etc.).
If you live in the following cities and need an Child-Custody attorney you should contact
our Child-Custody Attorney as soon as possible:
Ames
Ankeny
Bettendorf
Burlington
Cedar Falls
Cedar Rapids
Clinton
Council Bluffs
Davenport
Des Moines
Dubuque
Fort Dodge
Iowa City
Marion
Marshalltown
Mason City
Muscatine
Newton
Ottumwa
Sioux City
Urbandale
Waterloo
West Des Moines
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Did You Know?
The courts use the best interests of the child when determining custody.
