FAMILY LAW

With over half of today’s marriages ending, divorce has become rather common. We are here to help.  While it’s relatively easy to get married, the process of dissolving the marriage is usually much more difficult.  

Divorce is more than two people deciding they no longer wish to be legally bound to one another. Many times, marital property, which can include real estate, vehicles, furniture, and income, has accumulated during the marriage and needs to be distributed.   

Because divorce can be an emotional and stressful time, it is important to have an attorney on your side who will fight for what is equitably yours.

There are many different factors when considering what is in the best interest of the child.  

Responsibilities of custody include deciding which parent the child lives with and when, whether one or both parents make major decisions regarding the child, and what, if any, visitation time the non-custodial parent will have.  

Custody battles can often become challenging, but it is important to remember the ultimate focus and goal: the best interest of the child.  Every case is different, and it's important to have an attorney who knows how to handle each case to ensure the best possible outcome for the child, and the client.

Typically, the parent who does not have primary custody over the child pays child support to the other parent.  

Child support is intended to help assure a child receives financial and medical support from each parent.  Contrary to the perception of child support in our culture, the payment is for the benefit of the child, not the parent. 

Regardless of how the parents may feel about each other, it is important to remember that child support helps provide the necessary essentials for the child.

Legally, the court may appoint a guardian to take care of an individual's necessities, or take party in their safety.  This may include a minor child, senior in need of assistance, or a disabled individual.

 Guardianships may be voluntary or involuntary. Regardless, the process is complex and can be frustrating to navigate on your own.

At Flanagan Law Group, we are here to help you with the ins and outs of Guardianship, and what it truly means to be a guardian.

Although adoption can be the most exciting time for families, it can also be very stressful.  

The process of adoption in Iowa is complicated, and the team at Flanagan Law Group are here to help with every step of the way!

In Iowa, this law states that unmarried adults and married couples jointly, over the age of 18, are eligible to adopt. While nearly any adult may be eligible to adopt in Iowa, most adoptive families will need a valid, approved home study before they can be matched with an adoption opportunity.