Family Law Attorneys in Des Moines, IA

Divorce, custody schedules, and child support in Des Moines are decided in Polk County family court, and the paperwork alone can feel overwhelming. A licensed Iowa family law attorney will go over your situation for free.

Free to use — fees quoted upfront, before you commit
Matched with an Iowa attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free Des Moines family law case review

A Iowa attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

By submitting, you agree that DearLegal and the attorneys or law firms we connect you with may contact you by phone and email about your inquiry, including by automated technology.

DearLegal is not a law firm and will not provide legal advice. DearLegal connects users to licensed attorneys.

How we match your Des Moines family law case

When you submit a Des Moines family law matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A family law matter needs someone who handles family law work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Iowa law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Iowa who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Start my free case review How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Family Law cases in Des Moines

More about legal help in Des Moines →

Divorce, custody, and support cases in Des Moines unfold in Polk County courts, which handle more family matters than any other court in Iowa and have developed routines for scheduling, mediation, and parenting plans as a result. Dual-career households, shared custody across the suburbs, and military or corporate relocations often complicate arrangements. Iowa courts focus on the child’s best interests and on equitable division of property, not equal splits. DearLegal matches you with an Iowa-licensed attorney who handles family law cases in Des Moines, beginning with a free review.

Divorce and custody cases from Des Moines are heard in Polk County courts.
Parents split between Des Moines, West Des Moines, and Ankeny often need detailed schedules across the metro.
Polk County’s high caseload means timing and preparation affect how quickly matters resolve.

Iowa family law rules at a glance

Des Moines cases run under Iowa law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Iowa page.

Read the full Iowa family law guide →

Residency Requirement: 1 year
1 year in Iowa (Iowa Code § 598.6); 90-day waiting period from service (§ 598.19)
Property Division System: Equitable distribution
Equitable distribution of all property including premarital (Iowa Code § 598.21)
Custody Standard: Best interests
Best interests with strong joint custody preference (Iowa Code § 598.41)
Child Support Guidelines: Income Shares
Income Shares model — Iowa Court Rule Chapter 9
Spousal Support Framework: Traditional
Traditional, rehabilitative, or reimbursement spousal support under Iowa Code § 598.21A
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Exhibit D

How much do Des Moines family law attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Iowa · Family Law

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Family Law matters in Iowa are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Family law cases in Iowa are not handled on contingency. Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:1.5(d)(1) — patterned on ABA Model Rule 1.5(d) — prohibits contingent fees in domestic relations matters where the fee is contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support, or property settlement. Iowa family law attorneys charge hourly (billed against a retainer) or a flat fee for uncontested matters. Courts may award fees under Iowa Code § 598.36.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Start my free case reviewTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit F

Des Moines family law questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Iowa attorney will review it for free.

Start free review

Divorces for Des Moines residents are filed in Polk County courts. Iowa requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for a period before filing, and the court handles property division, support, and custody together. An attorney can explain local procedures and what to expect at each stage.

Courts look at the child’s best interests, including school, stability, and each parent’s involvement. Short distances between Des Moines, West Des Moines, and Ankeny make shared schedules realistic. A family law attorney helps build a parenting plan that works logistically and holds up if disputes arise later.

Yes. If income, custody, or needs have changed substantially, you can ask Polk County courts to modify child support or spousal support. The process requires documentation and sometimes a hearing. An attorney will assess whether your change qualifies and file the request properly.

At minimum, 90 days from service — Iowa’s waiting period under Iowa Code § 598.19. Uncontested divorces typically finalize at the 90-day mark. Contested cases generally take 9–18 months.

Yes — Iowa is a pure no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken under Iowa Code § 598.17. Fault is not a basis for divorce or for property division.