Iowa City Attorneys Offering Personalized Care For Your Family Law Needs

With over 70 years of combined experience, Fitzgerald, Klesner, & Pavelich, PLC, has provided skilled representation for family law matters to residents in Des Moines and Iowa City, Iowa.

Our family law attorneys strive to provide you with the guidance you deserve. We understand how personal and impactful family law matters can be, and we take that responsibility seriously. No matter where you are in Iowa, we will find a way to communicate so you can get the help you deserve.

The Iowa Family Law Services We Provide

The law firm of Fitzgerald, Klesner, & Pavelich, PLC, serves clients throughout eastern Iowa and Des Moines in the area of family law, including:

• Divorce and separation, including property division matters: We help you through contested and uncontested divorces with careful attention to asset division, financial interests and long-term stability.
• Child support agreements and child custody and visitation: Our lawyer assists parents to establish fair support arrangements and custody schedules that prioritize the child’s best interests while protecting parental rights.
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements: We draft and review marital agreements that clearly state financial expectations to protect assets before or after marriage.
• Adoptions and guardianships: We guide families through private, stepparent and relative adoptions, as well as guardianship proceedings, with sensitivity and thorough preparation.
• Representation in juvenile court: Our attorney provides advocacy in juvenile court matters involving children and families, including cases related to protection, placement and parental rights.

We place your needs first. We want to meet your family’s needs where you are at. To do this, we make sure that our legal team is as flexible as possible, and we are available to meet with you in person, by phone or through internet services like Skype, FaceTime and other video conferencing services.

Legal Advice For Even The Most Complicated Family Law Issues In Iowa

We are up to date on fast-moving trends in the area of child custody. An important issue now is shared custody versus primary physical custody. Our attorneys accept the most challenging custody cases and fight hard for the rights and best interests of our clients and their families.

We bring order to difficult situations and strive for a fair result in every case.

We work hard to settle cases and are tough negotiators and litigators. We do things right the first time so our clients know their rights and responsibilities and can move on with their lives. Mediation is a process that can help parties to problem solve and reach a livable resolution to their family law issues.

In spousal maintenance, property division and debt allocation cases, we are creative and resourceful in generating custom-tailored solutions to meet the needs of each unique family. Our lawyers also function as guardians ad litem for family law cases.

Resources Available To Serve You

Because of our long practice in the family law area, we have the resources required to meet your needs and to serve you. We also have the technological means to represent you if you live too far away to travel to our Iowa City office.

Frequently Asked Questions On Family Law In Iowa

Fitzgerald, Klesner, & Pavelich, PLC, understands that divorce and family law matters in Iowa can be complicated and emotionally challenging. With attorney Joe Pavelich leading the team, we address issues such as child custody and visitation, property division and debt allocation. The following are answers to some frequently asked questions about Iowa family law matters.

What is the difference between shared custody and primary physical custody?

Custody arrangements are designed to serve the child’s best interests while making sure both parents remain involved.

• Shared custody: Sometimes called joint physical custody, allows the child to spend a lot of time living with both parents. This arrangement emphasizes maintaining strong relationships with both parents. Shared custody supports the child’s emotional and developmental needs by maintaining strong relationships with both parents. Children benefit from consistent contact and the stability that comes with both parents being actively involved in their day-to-day lives.
• Primary physical custody: In this arrangement, the child resides primarily with one parent, while the other parent has visitation rights. The custodial parent is responsible for making day-to-day decisions regarding care, education and health care. Primary custody provides stability and routine, helping ensure the child’s basic needs are met consistently. The noncustodial parent remains involved through structured visitation, which helps maintain a meaningful relationship.

Courts consider parental ability, child preferences, stability and the child’s emotional needs when determining child custody type. Choosing the right custody arrangement is about balancing stability with ongoing parental involvement.

What is mediation?

Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party helps divorcing spouses or parents in resolving disputes outside of court. It is commonly used in Iowa to address child custody, visitation and property division.

Mediation allows parents to openly discuss issues with the guidance of a mediator, aiming for mutually agreeable solutions. This process fosters cooperation and reduces conflict, enabling both parties to have a voice in decisions that affect their family.

Mediation is often faster and less expensive than traditional litigation. When families avoid lengthy court battles, they can reduce stress and preserve resources.

How is property and debt divided in an Iowa divorce?

Iowa follows the principle of equitable distribution when dividing property and debt in a divorce. This does not always mean a 50/50 split but rather a fair allocation based on the couple’s circumstances.

Factors the court considers include:

• Length of the marriage: Longer marriages may result in more equal division, while shorter marriages may be treated differently. The duration of the marriage can influence what is considered fair and equitable.
• Contributions of each spouse: Contributions include income, homemaking, child care and support for the other spouse’s education or career. Courts aim to recognize financial and nonfinancial contributions when dividing assets.
• Economic circumstances: The earning capacity, age and health of each spouse can affect distribution.
• Debts and liabilities: Debts incurred during the marriage are also divided, taking into account who is best able to manage repayment. Fair allocation of debts prevents one party from being unfairly burdened after divorce.
• Retirement and investments: Pensions, retirement accounts and other investments are included in the property division. These assets are considered marital property if acquired during the marriage, allowing for fair allocation.
• Business interests or real estate: Ownership stakes in businesses or property are evaluated and divided equitably. Complex assets require careful legal analysis for fair outcomes.

At Fitzgerald, Klesner, & Pavelich, PLC, we help clients identify marital property, evaluate debts and negotiate settlements or litigate when necessary. Proper legal guidance is essential for a fair outcome in both property and debt division.

Contact An Iowa City Attorney Today

Waiting to get an attorney for a family law issue can make your legal situation more complicated down the road. Do not hesitate to get help from our experienced lawyers. Call Fitzgerald, Klesner, & Pavelich, PLC, via 319-320-4569 or fill out our online contact form for an initial case consultation.

We will review your case and determine your options with their respective benefits and drawbacks, and any alternatives to the legal process that you may have.