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2024

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Best Child Support Lawyers in Des Moines

Our Recommended Top 11

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Des Moines Child Support Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

53

Reviewed

36

Curated

11

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
309 Court Ave., Suite 803, ​Des​ Moines, IA 50309
  • Child Custody

Why choose this provider?

Arleth Law is a legal firm catering to the needs of families in the Des Moines metro. The firm represents clients in criminal defense, estate planning, and family law cases. Its legal team assists parents in filing petitions for child custody and child support and helps families go through divorce and separation proceedings. Founder Michael Areth has been practicing law for over six years. He has been recognized by the Iowa Supreme Court's pro bono honor roll.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (5)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1200 Valley West Drive, Suite 606, West Des Moines, IA 50266
  • Child Custody

Why choose this provider?

Located in Des Moines, Feitelson Law Firm provides legal assistance for family law cases, such as adoption, divorce, child support, and child custody in the metro. It offers to modify and enforce child custody law orders for scenarios when the obligor is not following the court's orders. It also practices criminal law, including domestic abuse, drunk driving, and drug use. Jeremy Feitelson assists low-income individuals through the Polk County Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project. Feitelson Law Firm has been in practice for over 14 years.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.6 / 5 (37)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (22)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1055 Jordan Creek Pkwy Suite 200, West Des Moines, IA 50266
  • Mother-Only Representation
  • Father-Only Representation

Why choose this provider?

Hope Law Firm serves clients in the Des Moines metro. Its founder, Andrew L. Hope, graduated from law school in 2002 and is a family law and criminal defense specialist. The law firm has a team of eight lawyers who practice child custody and support, legal separation, divorce, and alimony. They guide clients through the state's child support mandates, with the children's stability and future as its priority. Hope Law Firm assists individuals on complex divorce and child custody battles and has litigated over 1,000 cases.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Andrew Hope - Principal20 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Google
4.4 / 5 (275)
Avvo
3.9 / 5 (11)
Yelp
1.5 / 5 (9)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1200 Valley West Drive, Suite 208, West Des Moines, IA 50266
  • Child Custody

Why choose this provider?

Located in West Des Moines, The Law Offices of Mark R. Hinshaw represent Des Moines clients. It manages family law cases and assists in issues like child support. The firm provides legal assistance to parents looking to modify support orders. It also deals with divorce, representing clients in contested and uncontested proceedings. One of its lawyers, Mark Hinshaw, is a member of the International Family Law Committee under the American Bar Association. He once tried an international child abduction case before a federal court.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.2
Google
4.0 / 5 (51)
Facebook
4.3 / 5 (11)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (11)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3101 Ingersoll Ave. Suite 202, Des Moines, IA 50312

Why choose this provider?

Serving the Des Moines area, Taylor Law Offices assists individuals going through family legal matters. The firm helps clients build a plan that reflects their family’s interests. Its lawyers represent parents in child support disputes. They also handle the modification of a child support agreement when the situation calls for it. It also handles cases in other aspects of family law such as divorce, property division, and alimony. Taylor Law Offices’ practice areas include appeals, wills, chapter 7 bankruptcy, juvenile, and criminal law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Karen Taylor - Founder and Principal29 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.9
Google
3.9 / 5 (36)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (11)
Avvo
2.0 / 5 (5)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1603 22nd Street, Suite 105, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Why choose this provider?

Kellner-Nelson Law Firm, P.C., is a practice that caters to clients in Des Moines. It focuses on cases concerning family law such as child support, paternity, adoption, and guardianship. The firm offers legal advice and assistance to help clients make the best decisions for the family. It also guides clients through the mediation process and support in the courtroom. Founder Elizabeth Kellner-Nelson has substantial experience in handling trial and appellate cases in all areas of family law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Elizabeth Nelson - Principal19 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.9
Google
3.6 / 5 (17)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3737 Woodland Avenue, Suite 400, West Des Moines, IA 50266
  • Child Custody

Why choose this provider?

Macro & Kozlowski LLP is a West Des Moines-based legal practice that represents clients in Des Moines. It takes on family law cases and counsels parents facing child support obligations. The firm assists clients through the process of filing for agreement modifications. Other practice areas include criminal defense and municipal law. The firm has been operating since 2001, and one of its members, David Barajas, worked at the Drake University Legal Clinic. He serves as a member of the Iowa Criminal Defense Association.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
4.4 / 5 (20)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
2.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
400 Homestead Building 303 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Child Custody

Why choose this provider?

Carney Appleby Law is a multi-practice legal firm that provides representation to clients in Des Moines and neighboring areas. Its attorneys handle family law cases, including child support and its appeals and modifications. Other areas of their practice include personal injury, real estate law, civil litigation, and government law. Founder James W. Carney has been practicing law for over four decades and serves as the president of the American Board of Trial Advocates in Iowa.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
4.4 / 5 (7)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
4508 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
  • Mother-Only Representation
  • Father-Only Representation

Why choose this provider?

McComally & Cosgrove P.L.L.C. is a general practice law firm that provides legal services to the residents of the Des Moines area. One of the main areas it handles is family law. This includes cases concerning child support and custody, adoptions, alimony, divorce, and property division. The firm's other areas of practice include business law, personal injury, election and campaign law, and estate planning. Shayla McCormally, one of its founders, is currently the administrator for the Edwin C. Moor Inn of Court.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.4
Google
4.4 / 5 (19)
Facebook
4.3 / 5 (16)
Avvo
4.7 / 5 (14)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
535 S.W. 11th Street, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Child Custody

Why choose this provider?

Miller, Zimmerman & Evans is a law firm that advocates for individuals and families throughout Des Moines. It tackles financial issues that arise in child support cases. It also assists clients with their divorce, spousal support, and paternity matters. Miller, Zimmerman & Evans' attorneys settle disputes between opposing parties through mediation and take cases to court when necessary. One of the partners in the firm, Donna Miller, is a member of the Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers and the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Donna Miller - Partner29 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2404 Forest Drive, Des Moines, IA 50312

Why choose this provider?

Family Law Solutions of Iowa is a legal firm that serves clients in Des Moines and its surrounding areas. It provides a broad range of legal expertise and services in several areas of family law, including child support and custody, termination of parental rights, divorce, and court order modifications. Gary Hill, one of the firm's lawyers, investigates each case and offers his clients practical advice and direction on the complex legal processes surrounding family law. Hill has more than 35 years of litigation experience. 

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Google
4.3 / 5 (99)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (2)
Yelp
1.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does a child support attorney do?

    A child support attorney is a specialized family law attorney who works primarily or solely on child support cases. These attorneys advocate for clients in a variety of situations, including seeking child support from a resistant partner, paying child support, or recalculating child support payment amounts. Often, child support law is an area of practice within a firm that also handles custody and visitation matters.

  • Can I file for child support without an attorney?

    It is possible to file for child support pro se, or on one’s own behalf. This involves obtaining the necessary forms from the local family court and filling out all required paperwork carefully and on time. The court will then set dates for hearings, which usually must be attended in person. Parents filing without a child support attorney should thoroughly research child support and custody laws to put together a compelling and accurate defense. If you already have a court order, you can seek help in enforcing it from the local office of your state child support agency.

  • What is child support used for?

    Child support is used to divide the financial responsibility for raising a child or children between two separated or divorced parents. This court-ordered payment is typically paid from the higher-income noncustodial parent to the lower-income custodial parent. It's intended to cover the costs of basic necessities for a minor and to maintain his or her standard of living. Child support may also be used to split unexpected expenses that occur during a minor's formative years. Definitions of basic necessities may vary by state.

  • When do child support payments start?

    The administrative order from the state agency or court overseeing the legal proceedings will specify the start date of child support payments and may include retroactive payments. Depending on the state and the case specifics, child support may become effective on the date of the separation, at the time of the legal filing, or on the child's birth date.

  • What is child support based on?

    How child support is calculated depends largely on the state of residence and whether custody is joint or sole. Although every case is unique, states may consider the following factors when determining the amount of child support:

    • Number of children involved
    • Allocation of parenting time
    • Total income
    • Spousal support
    • Social Security and other public benefits
    • Expenses for medical and dental insurance coverage
    • Childcare costs
  • What is included in child support?

    Child support funds are intended to pay for a child's essential needs. Child support attorneys may advocate as to what should and shouldn't be included in the order. The court may expressly define the expenses to be paid for to help both parties understand their responsibilities.

    Child support may include the following items and services:

    • Food
    • Shelter costs, including mortgage or rent, utilities, and furnishings
    • Medical expenses, such as medications, eyeglasses, and physician and dental care services
    • Childcare services
    • Educational expenses, including books, school supplies, uniforms, and field trip fees
    • Extracurricular activity costs, such as summer camps, art supplies, or sporting equipment
    • Entertainment costs
    • Transportation and travel expenses
  • How can I check if I owe child support?

    The court order outlines any obligations of child support. Additional questions about payments owed can be routed through the appropriate local child support office. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child Support Enforcement maintains a list of state agencies and tribal child support agencies throughout the United States and its territories.

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