For the Iowa criminal courts to convict someone of an operating while intoxicated (OWI) offense, there needs to be compelling evidence that can convince a judge or jury beyond a reasonable doubt that someone has broken the law. Police officers will often start trying...
Des Moines Iowa Law Blog
What is virtual visitation?
If you and your child’s other parent are no longer together, you are likely either in the process of creating a parenting plan or your co-parenting arrangements are already subject to the terms of an existing parenting plan document. If your plan does not yet contain...
Why child support and parenting rights aren’t interdependent
If you’re paying child support and yet your ex always brings them to your home late on your parenting days (or finds reasons why they can’t come), you may start to feel like you should withhold child support until they comply with the custody order. Likewise, if your...
Could your spouse be hiding marital assets?
When all reconciliation efforts fail and a marriage is bound for divorce, spouses have a number of issues that they are compelled to address. One of these is property division. In Iowa, this is accomplished per the state’s equitable distribution law in instances...
3 statements not to say when stopped by the police
Operating while intoxicated (OWI) can lead to severe penalties. In Iowa, it's unlawful to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more. When the police have reasonable suspicion of drunk driving, they will stop you to perform required tests and ask...
Is someone legally responsible for anything found in their car?
Iowa lawmakers have created a relatively thorough list of prohibited substances. Numerous prescription medications are subject to state control, and those who unlawfully possess those drugs could face serious charges. Prescription medications and outright banned...
A positive outlook may help you cope with your divorce
Everyone says that divorce is hard and painful. Unfortunately, the one thing most can agree on is viewed as a tragic, heartbreaking event. Divorce deserves its reputation because it is hard and does cause pain. Enduring so much can impact your outlook and make it easy...
How do you prepare your finances for the divorce?
Divorce is a tough time for everyone involved. There are so many issues to resolve and concerns about the future. Handled casually, divorce can impact your finances for years to come. In fact, it is not uncommon for divorce to lead to personal bankruptcy. So how can...
2 things that can affect your child custody case
When children are involved in a divorce, the conversations change. Every decision should be in their best interests. And the court will consider several factors to give verdicts. Thus, it's crucial to pay attention to everything you do during and after the case. The...
What are the legal consequences for underage drunk drivers?
Drunk driving offenses are treated seriously by courts across America. The possible ramifications of being over the limit while behind the wheel mean prosecutors often ask the judge for harsh penalties to be awarded. For those who are drunk driving in Iowa while...