11/24/2023 Divorce in Iowa

Unless the responder is personally served in Iowa, one or both spouses must have resided in the state for at least a year in order to file for divorce. The marriage is irretrievably broken, and neither party is held responsible, according to the no-fault grounds for divorce. A petition for dissolution of marriage must be filed and served to the respondent, who has 20 days to respond. The divorce decree cannot be obtained until after a ninety-day waiting period, unless the court waives it for a valid reason. Unless the parties agree on a formal settlement, the court will make decisions about matters like property division, custody, support, and alimony. 

For more information on family law in Iowa, you can visit the Iowa Judicial Branch website.

Family Law Attorney Near Me. Davenport. Iowa.

10/16/2023 How is child custody determined in Iowa ?

In Iowa, child custody is classified into two types: legal custody and physical care. Legal custody grants parents the authority to make decisions on behalf of the child, such as medical care, education, and religion. Physical care refers to the right to maintain a home and living routine for the child. The court must consider the best interest of the child and order a custody arrangement that allows the child to have maximum contact with both parents, unless physical or significant emotional harm is likely to occur. The court must also consider granting joint legal custody if either party requests it, unless there is clear and convincing evidence that it is unreasonable and not in the best interest of the child. Joint legal custody means that both parents have equal legal custody rights and responsibilities. Iowa courts tend to award both parents legal custody, but tend to disfavor shared physical care 

For more information on family law in Iowa, you can visit the Iowa Judicial Branch website.

Family Law Attorney Near Me. Davenport. Iowa.

9/20/2023 How is property division handled in an Iowa divorce ?

In Iowa, property division during a divorce is governed by the principle of equitable distribution. This means that the court aims to divide the shared property fairly and equitably between the spouses. All property acquired before or after the marriage, except for gifts and inheritances received before or during the marriage, is subject to division. The court may also set aside a portion of the property for the support, maintenance, and education of any minor children.

To determine the division of property, Iowa judges consider various factors, including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s age, physical and emotional health, prenuptial agreements, agreements between the spouses concerning property division, and more. The court also takes into account each spouse’s earning capacity, contributions to the marriage, economic circumstances, and the desirability of awarding the family home to the party with physical custody of the children.

It’s important to note that equitable distribution does not necessarily mean an equal 50/50 split of assets. Instead, the court aims to achieve a fair distribution based on each individual’s contributions to the marriage and their earning ability and needs following separation.

For more information on divorce laws in Iowa, you can visit the Iowa Judicial Branch website.

Family Law Attorney. Davenport. Iowa.

9/13/2023 Can you give me an example of a warrantless search ?

Yes, there are some exceptions to the search warrant requirement. For example, if you give consent to a search or if there is probable cause to believe that evidence of a crime is present in your vehicle or residence, then a warrantless search may be conducted .

Another example of a warrantless search is when the police search your trash left for collection outside your home. However, the Iowa Supreme Court has recently banned police from searching people’s uncollected trash without a warrant .

It is important to note that these exceptions are limited and that the police must have a valid reason for conducting a warrantless search. If you believe that your rights have been violated during a search or seizure, it is advisable to contact an attorney who specializes in criminal defense.

Criminal Law Attorney. Davenport. Iowa.

9/13/2023 Can the police search my phone without a warrant ?

Police officers typically need a search warrant to search a person’s cell phone. They must show probable cause for a judge to issue a warrant. A search warrant is a court order indicating the parameters of a search. Unreasonable searches and seizures violate your constitutional rights .

In 2014, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Riley v. California that the police need search warrants to search cell phones of people they have arrested. This Supreme Court decision was made to clarify the extent of 4th Amendment protections.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the police have probable cause to believe that your vehicle contains contraband or evidence of a crime, they may search all parts of the vehicle as well as closed containers in the vehicle .

Criminal Law Attorney. Davenport. Iowa.

9/13/2023 Can the police search my car without a warrant if they smell marijuana ?

The legality of warrantless searches based on the smell of marijuana varies depending on the state. In some states, such as Massachusetts and Vermont, the smell of marijuana alone is not sufficient to justify a warrantless search.

In Florida, police can search your car if they smell burnt marijuana. The Second District Court of Appeals held that the recent legalization of hemp was not enough to overcome the precedent of permitting warrantless searches based on the odor of marijuana.

In Iowa, if the police have probable cause to believe that your vehicle contains contraband or evidence of a crime, they may search all parts of the vehicle as well as closed containers in the vehicle without a warrant.

Criminal Law Attorney. Davenport. Iowa.

9/12/2023 Do I have to pay alimony in Iowa, if so how much ?

During a divorce or legal separation, a spouse can file for a maintenance order, also known as alimony. The court may grant temporary or permanent maintenance award for a dependent spouse, and the amount and length of time the maintenance continues is based on the court’s decision. The court will not consider marital misconduct, and the payments may be paid from the income or property of the other spouse depending on the decision of the court. The court takes into consideration several factors, such as the standard of living established during the marriage, the length of the marriage, and the income and property of each party. The needs of both parties are also considered, including any impairment of present or future earning ability due to domestic duties or delay in education, training, employment, or career opportunities due to the marriage. When deciding the length of time that payments will be required, the court will often consider the time needed to acquire training, education, or employment. The earning ability of both parties is considered along with their age and physical and mental health, which may affect their earning capabilities. Other things taken into consideration are tax consequences that property division has had on the monetary estate of both parties and the capability of the spouse from whom support is sought to afford payments while maintaining their current standard of living.

The amount and duration of awarded spousal support is at the discretion of the judge. After determining a need and ability to pay, there are several factors that courts use to ensure a fair and just award. Iowa divorce law does not use a pre-determined formula.

There is no mathematical formula for guidelines in Iowa as in other states. However, Legal Calculators provides an estimate of a potential alimony award in Iowa using a formula suggested by In re Marriage of Gust.

You can use this calculator by providing your yearly gross income and your spouse’s yearly gross income along with your marriage length in years.

Family Law Attorney. Davenport. Iowa.