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Serving Iowa Families Statewide
(515) 305-2772
Hope Law Firm Hope Law Firm
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Family Focused. Results Driven.

An aggressive approach to family law with a proven track record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answered by Our Attorneys in Des Moines

If you have any questions or concerns about your situation or how our Des Moines divorce attorneys can help you, please feel free to read through our most frequently asked questions below. If you do not see your question or if you have further questions about our answer, reach out to us today. One of our knowledgeable divorce attorneys will sit down with you in a consultation and help you figure out your best options for moving forward.

Call Hope Law Firm today at (515) 305-2772 or contact us online to schedule your consultation with our Des Moines divorce lawyers.

  • FAQ

    • I Agreed to a Custody Arrangement But it Is Not Working Out. Can We Change it?
      Yes. Whether there are conflicts regarding the terms of custody or both parties agree to change it, Hope Law Firm can work with you to help request the court to modify the custody arrangements. Generally, to make a modification, the party requesting the modification needs to prove that there was a substantial change in circumstances since the time that the original order was decreed. This may include a change in employment status, change in housing status, and more.
    • How Long Will it Take to Finalize My Divorce?
      From the time you file the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, it can take anywhere from three months to one year. However, the court may require a minimum 90-day waiting period.
    • Is Your Retainer the Total Cost?
      A retainer is similar to a down payment or a deposit. In a straightforward, uncontested divorce case, our retainer may be your sole legal expense except for a couple mandatory filing fees. We will do everything possible to resolve your problems in a timely and professional manner, but divorces frequently become more complicated than anticipated. If we have to spend additional time in court on your behalf, our firm will charge a reasonable hourly rate for the time spent.
    • I am Not Receiving the Support Payments I Was Promised. What Can I Do?
      Child support is dictated by the courts, and a support order cannot be disregarded. If you are not receiving the child support that was determined by the court, our attorneys take decisive legal action to get your payments on track and to recover any amounts in arrears.
    • What is the total time it will take for my divorce to be final?
      From the first filing of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, it can take anywhere from three to 12 months to complete your divorce. The court may require only the minimum 90-day waiting period.
    • Will I have to pay child support if I have custody at least half of the time?
      Yes, this is possible. Many factors are considered when child support is established, and the percentage of parenting time is only one of those factors. Some parents may be required to pay child support to each other. Hope Law Firm, PLC works to make the child support arrangement as logical and appropriate as possible.
    • What if I am not receiving the support payments that I was promised?
      Child support is dictated by the courts, and a support order cannot be disregarded. If you are not receiving the child support that was determined by the court, our attorneys take decisive legal action to get your payments on track and to recover any amounts in arrears.
    • I cannot bear the thought of joint custody. How can I prevent it?
      Joint custody may not be ordered by the court if the other parent is likely to pose physical or emotional harm to the child, and a number of other reasons. If this is so, then we strongly make the case for sole custody. If your child’s personal well-being is at stake, we are unyielding in our pursuit of sole custody and other legal protections.
    • The custody arrangement that we both agreed to is not working. Can we change it?
      Yes. Whether you are in amicable agreement that the custody arrangement should be altered or there is a conflict about the terms of custody, we work with you to ask the court to reconsider the status of custody. In general, the party requesting the modification of the decree must prove that there is a substantial change in circumstances that was not anticipated at the time the decree was entered.
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