When you decide to put an end to your marriage, it’s not quite as simple as signing a piece of paper and moving on with your life. There are many different elements you have to consider, including asset division, potential spousal support, and developing a parenting plan. Enduring a custody dispute can be a truly difficult and complex part of your divorce, but it’s wholly necessary. A Des Moines divorce lawyer may be exactly what you need here.

A divorce can be complicated and painful enough when kids aren’t involved. When they are, many unique complications may arise. It can be difficult to cope with your divorce while also trying to make sure your kids are protected from the harsh truths of the situation. That’s one of the many reasons why it’s so important to hire the right divorce lawyer to represent your case. You don’t want to end up losing custody of your kids because you didn’t hire legal assistance.

Reach Out and Find the Right Lawyer

When enduring a custody dispute, you don’t want to take any chances. Choosing the right divorce lawyer to defend your interests can be the most important decision you make throughout this entire process. You will want someone with experience handling cases like yours. At Stange Law Firm, our accomplished team understands how high the stakes may be for you. We have helped innumerable clients around the country get through their divorces.

As you navigate your divorce, you may want to take a moment to understand your state’s statistics regarding marriage and divorce. Realizing you are not alone in your decision can be helpful in many ways. 

According to recent info from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Iowa has a low divorce rate of 1.9 per 1,000 people in 2023. The marriage rate in Polk County is high, at 5.9 per 1,000 residents in 2023, as stated by the Iowa Health and Human Services Department. 

Deciding to get a divorce is one of the toughest life decisions you can make, and it’s not one you should take lightly. This whole ordeal may be affecting your mental health in ways you may not even realize yet. 

To work through this, you may want to consider contacting a local group that focuses on healing from divorce, like Second Saturday Divorce Workshops or DivorceCare. Having people to talk to who have been where you are can be good for your healing journey.

Things to Consider in a Custody Dispute

While your entire divorce will likely be complicated, the custody dispute may be a difficult element to get through. Fighting for custody of your kids can be emotional and complicated, and it may not end the way you think. You don’t want to make any mistakes that could cost you dearly. If both parents are seen as involved and stable, the court will likely push for joint custody. Here are some important things to consider as you fight for custody of your kids:

  • The most important thing to consider in an Iowa divorce is that no matter what, the family court is going to do whatever it feels is right for your children. Their welfare matters above all else. This may include turning down your bid for custody, as well as your spouse’s, and any parenting plan you have worked on, if the court feels they have a better solution. It’s possible that you won’t get exactly what you want here.
  • Another important thing to consider is being a consistent presence for your kids and not giving your ex anything they can use to make you look bad. It’s vital that you don’t give them a chance to take action against you for parental alienation. Parental alienation is when one parent uses threats, bribes, and lies to turn the kids against you. It’s not illegal, but if you can prove it, it can turn the custody arrangement towards the affected parent.

FAQs

Q: Which Parent Is Given Custody?

A: There is no way to immediately tell which parent will be given custody. Before divorce proceedings begin and the court launches its investigation, neither parent is automatically favored. The court has to take many different things into consideration, such as each parent’s financial stability, who has been taking care of daily parental duties, and which parent the children want to live with, if they are old enough to have a say in the matter.

Q: What Is a Parenting Plan?

A: A parenting plan is a court-mandated document that lists out everything both parents need to know in order to co-parent effectively. It will likely include a schedule for school pickups, what to do for major holidays, and even how to resolve conflicts without involving the court. Parenting plans are court-ordered, which means both parents are legally obligated to abide by them. If your spouse fails to do that, you can take them to court.

Q: Can a Custody Arrangement Be Modified in Iowa?

A: Yes, a custody arrangement can be modified in Iowa, but only if there has been a significant change in circumstances that warrants such a modification. The party seeking to change the agreement must submit an application to the family court along with proof that the change is significant and necessary. Custody arrangement modifications are common in the event of a move out of state, an update in health status, or the death of a parent, among other life events.

Q: Should I Hire a Divorce Lawyer?

A: Yes, you should always hire a divorce lawyer when you’re going through a divorce, especially when there are kids involved. If your spouse is spiteful, they may try to use your kids as leverage to get a more favorable settlement. A good lawyer can prevent your kids from being used as bargaining chips and ensure nobody can take advantage of you.

Contact Stange Law Firm Today

At Stange Law Firm, we know how to help you fight your custody battle, as well as gather evidence of your parenting skills and build you the strongest case we can. Reach out to talk to someone with our firm about how we can help.