Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Common Questions from a Des Moines Family Law Attorney

What should I expect in terms of child support payments?

The amount of child support payments is determined by a calculation of a number of factors. Some of these factors include the number of children requiring support, the income of the non-custodial parent, the income of the custodial parent, the cost of daycare paid by each parent, the non-custodial parent's payments to an ex-spouse or children from a previous marriage, and the amount of family health insurance paid by each parent. A divorce attorney can give your more specific information about your child support payments.

If my ex-spouse has joint custody or visitation rights, can I relocate out of state?

In Iowa, most parents who divorce have joint legal custody, even if one parent has sole physical custody. Although parents are allowed to relocate, any move more than 150 miles is considered a substantial change in circumstances, which means that the court can then change the custody agreement. Types of changes include giving summer custody or scheduled phone calls to the non-custodial parent who is not moving. The parent who relocates may be responsible for expenses related to transportation to the other parent. The spouse may also petition for a transfer of custody if it is in the best interests of the children.

How does paternity testing work?

When individuals, either the mother, father, or child, are attempting to establish legal paternity rights, the court will usually order a SWAB Test or a DNA Genetic Identity test. These tests match up certain genetic markers in the adult male's DNA with the DNA of the child in question. If there is at least 95% similarity, the court will rule that he is the father. There are exceptions to this; if your attorney can present evidence of another male with a similar amount of genetic similarity, then there will likely be more tests.

What areas of family law do you serve?

At McGuire Law Firm, we work clients who need legal counsel for all types of family law issues. The most common legal issues for which we provide services are: Divorce, Contested and Uncontested Divorce, Separation, Annulment, Visitation, Father's Rights, Paternity, Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce Modifications, Division of Assets, Prenuptial Agreements, Domestic Violence, Temporary Restraining Order, Restraining Orders, Adoption, and Domestic Partnership.

For more information about our services and legal guidance, contact a Family Law Attorney at McGuire Law.