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Best Divorce Lawyers in Des Moines

2023

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Website
309 Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309

Why choose this provider?

Arleth Law helps individuals and families in the Des Moines area navigate through divorce and separation matters. Its team of skilled lawyers provides counsel on child custody, child support, and the divorce process. Founding attorney Michael Arleth is passionate about taking on pro bono cases and is on the Iowa Supreme Court pro bono honor roll. He has also successfully assisted clients with estate planning and has experience defending criminal cases.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Michael Arleth - Principal8 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
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
838 5th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

Why choose this provider?

Baer Law Office helps individuals navigate the divorce process in Des Moines. It handles family law matters, including alimony and child support. The firm assists with both contested and uncontested divorces and cases involving businesses and child custody battles. Divorce mediation services are available. Principal Kimberly K. Baer has been working on divorce cases for over 27 years. She is admitted to the Iowa Supreme Court. Baer also practices business and personal injury law. CityView Magazine recognized Baer Law Office as Best Law Firm 2020.

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.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (64)
Facebook
4.9 / 5 (30)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (10)

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
2700 Westown Parkway, Suite 170, West Des Moines, IA 50266
  • Child Support
  • Child Custody

Why choose this provider?

Ginkens Law Firm, P.L.C., offers solutions for family law matters, including divorce, to residents of the Des Moines metro and nearby locations. It guides clients in the process of dissolving their marriage as well as those opting for uncontested divorces. The firm also takes on matters related to child custody, adoption, and child support. Sole practitioner Aaron Ginkens is admitted to practice law in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Aaron Ginkens - 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.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (5)
Avvo
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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
699 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Alimony

Why choose this provider?

Whitfield & Eddy Law is a legal practice based in Des Moines. This firm provides legal services in an extensive range of practice areas, including family law. Its attorneys handle cases involving divorce, child custody and support, modifications, domestic violence, and spousal support. Its mediation attorneys also assist clients in reaching a compromise. Whitfield & Eddy Law has earned various recognitions, such as being named among The Best Lawyers In America® and "Best Law Firm" by U.S. News & World Report.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
James Andersen - Member8 yrs
John Fatino - Member / Attorney32 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
Facebook
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.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
1055 Jordan Creek Pkwy Suite 200, West Des Moines, IA 50266
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support

Why choose this provider?

The Hope Law Firm handles collaborative, contested, uncontested, and high-net-worth divorce cases. It also covers other family law matters, including alimony, child custody and support, property division, legal separation, grandparent rights, and paternity. The legal team has resolved over 1,000 child custody and divorce cases. It has appeared on FOX 17, KCCI, and WHO 13 News. Andrew Hope, who established the Des Moines-based practice in 2003, is a member of the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Andrew Hope - 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.
4.3
Google
4.4 / 5 (289)
Yelp
1.5 / 5 (10)

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

Why choose this provider?

Miller, Zimmerman & Evans provides legal counsel and assistance for individuals and businesses in the Des Moines area. Its team advocates for clients' rights and interests in divorce proceedings. The attorneys handle both contested and uncontested cases and provide collaborative divorce services. They counsel clients on asset distribution, legal and physical custody, and spousal support. Firm partner Jaclyn Zimmerman has been practicing family law since 2009. She is a collaborative lawyer and certified mediator, who has handled high-conflict cases.

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)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (3)

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
309 Court Ave. Suite 236, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support

Why choose this provider?

Mike Bandstra, Attorney at Law, offers legal representation to individuals in Des Moines who are dealing with family law matters. Mike, the sole practitioner, handles divorce and child custody cases. To assist clients, he provides legal training in all areas of child-centered law, preparation of legal training manuals, and consultations. His other areas of practice include adoption, guardianship, and juvenile delinquency. Before pursuing a career in law, Mike served as a social worker in central Iowa for three years. He was in charge of children put in foster care. 

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 (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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

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

Why choose this provider?

The Feitelson Law Firm serves clients in neighborhoods throughout Des Moines. Its holistic coverage of family law includes the litigation of disputes involving divorce, legal separation, child support, alimony, and prenuptial agreements. Its lead attorney, Jeremy Feitelson, has been representing clients throughout the state and covering cases before the Iowa Supreme Court and the Iowa Court of Appeals since 2004. He also provides pro bono services for low-income individuals through his participation in the Polk County Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project.

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 (36)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (21)

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
213 4th Street, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Child Custody

Why choose this provider?

Anderson & Taylor, PLLC is a Des Moines-based firm serving individuals and families in the community. It assists with divorce cases and handles child custody, spousal support, domestic abuse, and paternity actions. It works on various family law matters, including post-secondary education subsidy and juvenile law. The firm also offers legal solutions for other practice areas, including civil litigation, criminal defense, and real estate. Anderson & Taylor's managing partner Lucas Taylor was named part of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers.

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
4.2 / 5 (38)

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
974 73rd St Suite 8, West Des Moines, IA 50265

Why choose this provider?

Oliver Law Firm has been catering to clients in Des Moines since 1997. It provides legal services to individuals dealing with divorce and family law matters, including child custody and pre-marital agreements. Its attorneys assist clients who are working on custody agreements following their divorce in creating a plan for a smooth transition from two-parent to individual parents’ households. Founder Michael Oliver had a successful client representation at the District Court trial, which resulted in the establishment of the current spousal support legal framework 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.
4.2
Google
3.8 / 5 (4)
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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
4685 Merle Hay Rd. Ste. 105, Des Moines, IA 50310
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support

Why choose this provider?

Patrick H. Payton & Associates, PC, is a full-service law firm counseling clients in Des Moines and the surrounding communities. The company handles family law concerns, including divorce. Founder and principal lawyer Patrick Payton provides legal counsel to former spouses in reaching settlements that involve child custody and support, alimony, property division, decree modifications, and visitation rights. The team also handles cases in the areas of personal injury, criminal law, wills, estate planning, elder law, and real estate law. Payton has been assisting clients since 1973.

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
4.5 / 5 (22)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)
Yelp
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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
6205 Mills Civic Parkway, Suite 201, West Des Moines, IA 50266
  • Child Support
  • Child Custody

Why choose this provider?

Witherwax Law has been representing clients across Des Moines since 2007. The firm represents individuals in contested or uncontested divorce proceedings and advises them on resolving family law matters like child custody and alimony. It also has experience working on cases involving the simultaneous dissolution of a couple's marriage and their business. The firm's other practice area is real estate law, and it assists clients with negotiations concerning the acquisition of real estate. Its founder, Bryan Witherwax, is also admitted to practice in Nebraska.

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.
4.1
Google
4.2 / 5 (17)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)
Avvo
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

Website
431 28th Street, Suite 103, Des Moines, IA 50312
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support

Why choose this provider?

Noble Law, PLLC, is a woman-owned firm that helps clients in Des Moines resolve family law matters. It assists couples going through a divorce or marriage dissolution, with or without children, in dividing assets and debts accumulated during the marriage and complying with pre-marital obligations. The firm also offers legal services for parental rights termination, child custody and support, and divorce decree modification. The owner, Lisa Noble, has been practicing law since 2011. She offers unbundled legal services and flat fees. 

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Lisa Noble - Principal12 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 (4)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (4)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (3)

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
222 Fifth Ave, Suite 102, Des Moines, IA 50309

Why choose this provider?

Herting Law PLLC handles criminal defense, business law, and estate planning matters in Des Moines. The firm also has family law attorneys who are experienced in complex divorce cases. They help clients deal with the financial and family legal concerns associated with divorce, including child custody, visitation, and child support modifications. The team also tackles premarital agreements and adoption. Herting Law's practice areas focus on probate, traffic violations, and contract law. Partner Daniel Herting studied international law at the Southwest University of Politics and Law in China.

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
4.8 / 5 (46)
Facebook
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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2830 100th Street, Suite 106, Urbandale, IA 50322

Why choose this provider?

Cunningham & Kelso PLLC Attorneys at Law is a multi-practice law firm that serves individuals and families in Des Moines and the rest of central Iowa. Its team of attorneys provides legal assistance for divorce proceedings. Related matters it handles include child custody, alimony, paternity, and child support. In addition, it assists with prenuptial agreements, adoption, and appeals. Its other practice areas include real estate, criminal defense, and business law. The firm has been in business for almost a decade.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Michael Cunningham - Partner47 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
4.3 / 5 (17)
Yelp
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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
300 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309

Why choose this provider?

Carter Law Offices PC offers legal representation to families and individuals involved in personal injury and family law claims. The divorce lawyers in Des Moines provide skillful advocacy to couples dissolving their marriage to get favorable agreements concerning custody and parenting rights, spousal support, and property division. They also tackle custody reversal, child protection services, prenuptial agreements, stepparent adoption, grandparents' rights, and name change. After the divorce is granted, the lawyers negotiate and litigate for changes to the original child or spousal support terms.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Jeff Carter - Principal33 yrs
Matthew Gebhardt - Partner17 yrs
Zachary Priebe - Partner14 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.
4.7
Google
4.7 / 5 (3)

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
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Detail
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Website
8187 University Blvd, Clive, IA 50325
  • Child Support
  • Child Custody

Why choose this provider?

Engel & Maharry provides representation for Des Moines clients dealing with divorce. Ted Engel, the lead lawyer, has represented more than 500 clients in different family law cases. He uses his experience in litigation, mediation, and settlement to guide the individual toward the best decision. Besides the dissolution of marriage, the firm takes on cases such as child custody and support, adoption, guardianship, annulment, and legal separation. Engel & Maharry also handles personal injury cases, estate planning, and criminal defense.

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
4.5 / 5 (12)

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
309 Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Asset Distribution
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support

Why choose this provider?

Greenberg Law is a legal practice serving the Greater Des Moines area. The law firm offers client representation in family law cases, such as contested and uncontested divorce, custody modifications, child support, disestablishment, and child visitation disputes. It also handles cases involving stepparent adoptions. Elena M. Greenberg, principal of the firm, established Greenberg Law in 2011. She is a member of multiple professional associations, including the Polk County Bar Association and Polk County Women Attorneys.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Elena Greenberg - Principal14 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
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (3)

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
1217 Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA 50315
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support

Why choose this provider?

Harding Law Offices is a law firm serving clients in Des Moines and the surrounding areas. It assists clients who are facing divorce proceedings in reducing conflict by resolving child custody and support, property division, and alimony issues. The firm also provides representation in several other practice areas, such as car accidents, and estate planning. Lead attorney Marc Harding has been representing clients in personal injury and medical malpractice cases for more than 40 years and John Harding have 33 years experience.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Marc Harding - Partner50 yrs
Marc Harding - Partner50 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.
4.0
Facebook
4.0 / 5 (48)
Google
4.0 / 5 (10)

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

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Des Moines, Iowa?

    For non-emergencies in Des Moines, call the police 24/7 at (515)-283-4811.

  • What are some difficulties that same-sex couples in Des Moines face when filing for divorce?

    Dividing the property is one of the difficulties that divorcing same-sex couples in Des Moines face. Couples may have issues determining which are marital property since they had already been living together for some time before being legally married in Iowa. Additionally, same-sex couples who are divorcing may face issues involving child custody in cases such as when a biological child from a spouse's previous marriage was not formally adopted by the other spouse.

  • Can you talk to the judge about your divorce case in Des Moines without the presence of the opposing party?

    No. A judge is prohibited from discussing a divorce case with one party without the presence of the opposing party or their lawyers. You must file a request in court should you wish to provide the judge with more information about your case or if you want the judge to take some action about your divorce case in Des Moines.

  • What are some important things to know about divorce in Des Moines?

    Divorce in Des Moines and anywhere in Iowa follows no-fault laws, which means a marriage can be dissolved when it has broken down to the point it cannot be resolved. It is not difficult to obtain a divorce in the state, but it takes some time so you must plan and make decisions before filing for one. You or your spouse must have been living in Iowa for a year in order to file for divorce in the state.

  • Is alimony automatically given in a divorce in Des Moines?

    No. A spouse does not automatically get alimony during a divorce in Des Moines. The court has to determine if alimony is needed in a divorce case and then decide the amount based on factors used when dividing the property. These factors may include each spouse's age, the educational level of both spouses, earning capacity of the spouse seeking alimony, and the feasibility of the alimony-seeking spouse becoming self-supporting.

  • Is a divorce case in Des Moines eligible for the Informal Family Law Trial program?

    Yes. Contested divorce cases for self-represented individuals in Des Moines are eligible under the Informal Family Law Trial program. A case has to be assessed during the pre-trial conference if it qualifies under the informal trial program. More information on the program can be obtained from the office of the District Court Administration in the Polk County Courthouse at 500 Mulberry St. in Des Moines. Call (515) 286-3198 to inquire about the program.

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