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answered on Jun 1, 2024

It sounds like you are deeply concerned about the well-being of your godson and want to provide him with a safe and loving environment. To address this situation, you may need to take several steps to advocate for his best interests. Start by documenting everything, including your godson's... View More

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answered on Feb 4, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your difficult situation. In cases of domestic violence and child custody disputes, it's important to prioritize the safety and well-being of both you and your children. You have rights in this situation, including the right to seek legal help.

You may want... View More

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answered on Jul 6, 2025

In Iowa, there is no specific age at which a child can unilaterally decide where to live, but the court will consider the preferences of children—especially older ones—when evaluating custody modifications. At ages 16 and 14, your older children’s voices carry significant weight, particularly... View More

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answered on Jun 13, 2025

Dealing with a custody issue without legal support can feel overwhelming, especially when legal aid and the bar association haven’t been able to help. But don’t give up—there are still other steps you can take. Many law schools have legal clinics where supervised law students provide free... View More

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answered on Jun 12, 2025

In Iowa, court-appointed attorneys are typically reserved for criminal cases or situations involving abuse or neglect where the state is involved. For custody modification cases between parents, the court usually does not provide a court-appointed attorney. These are considered civil matters, and... View More

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answered on May 15, 2025

If you have a court-ordered visitation agreement in place, you’ll need to take careful steps before moving out of state with your children. Most states, including the one you're in, require parents to notify the other parent and possibly seek court approval before making such a move. This is... View More

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answered on May 15, 2025

You're thinking ahead in a responsible way, and it's good that you want to minimize disruption while protecting your children's best interests. In Iowa, even a move of 50 miles can require court involvement if it significantly affects the current custody or visitation schedule. Since... View More

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answered on May 14, 2025

I'm so sorry you're going through this—having your baby taken from you is heartbreaking, especially when you’ve been working to turn things around. Since you're already involved in family treatment court, that shows the system is giving you a chance to show growth, and that... View More

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answered on Apr 13, 2025

Courts take physical distance into serious account when deciding whether a 50/50 custody arrangement is practical, especially for a young child who’s in school. An hour and a half commute each way could easily interfere with your daughter’s ability to attend school consistently, get enough... View More

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answered on Apr 13, 2025

If your current custody order gives your ex full discretion over visitation, then unfortunately, she has the legal ability to allow or deny visits—unless that discretion is being abused or not serving the children's best interests. The law doesn’t automatically punish her for withholding... View More

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answered on Apr 13, 2025

Since there are no court orders in either Iowa or Colorado, the first step would be to file for custody or visitation in Colorado, where your child resides. You can petition the Colorado court to establish a formal custody and visitation agreement that addresses the alienation and ensures regular... View More

A Court will often look at the best interests of the child when determining whether a parent should be awarded custody or retain custody in a modification. If you are awarded custody in a prior court order, the burden for changing custody is often much higher. Each case is unique. Whether a... View More

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answered on Sep 6, 2023

If you suspect that your son has experienced abuse or inappropriate conduct while in foster care, it's crucial to act swiftly and decisively. Begin by reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities, such as your local law enforcement agency or the Iowa Department of Human Services... View More

A petition for modification needs to be filed to change the current custody arrangement.

If the child is going to remain with you, then the appropriate steps would be to;

1. File a Motion to terminate with Court who currently has jurisdiction over the case.

2. Transfer the existing case to your state of residence by Registering the order in the state court in your... View More

Do you currently have an attorney for the ongoing divorce? Or has this divorce process not yet started? If you have not retained an attorney or started the divorce process, I advise seeking one ASAP and having them file for divorce. From there, after some administrative hoops are jumped through... View More

The Court may find you in contempt of the decree/custody schedule even with the doctor-prescribed quarantine. I would advise seeking counsel to represent your interests to the Court and describe the nuances of your current COVID-riddled situation. It is possible that a modification of the decree... View More

There are resources available to help you. For starters, the Iowa Judicial Branch has forms available for folks to represent themselves. Link: http://www.iowacourts.gov/For_the_Public/Representing_Yourself_in_Court/DivorceFamily_Law/Forms/index.asp Also, the Iowa State Bar Association has a... View More