Alimony and Spousal Support Attorneys Des Moines, Iowa

Spousal Support or Alimony Attorneys

Alimony is also known as spousal support in the United States and Canada. If you are seeking spousal support in a divorce or opposing an award of spousal support, you need an experienced divorce attorney who will take time to help you with the financial dynamics of your divorce and frame the issues properly to seek the best possible result for you.

Do I Need an Alimony Attorney?

While every case is different, you may need an alimony attorney if your divorce attorney doesn’t specialize in alimony or spousal support cases. Divorce attorneys often do cover the entire divorce proceeding, including spousal support, but it is important to ask questions and know ahead of time if you divorce attorney is experienced to handle spousal support claim. Our divorce attorneys can provide quality legal representation when you’re trying to negotiate your alimony amount or when you’re trying to change a prearranged amount.

Do I Have a Right to Receive Alimony?

In Iowa, alimony is awarded based on a payor’s ability to pay and the payee’s financial need to receive support payments — relative to the lifestyle enjoyed by the parties during their marriage.

Iowa statute 598.21(A) lists several factors a court may consider when making a decision about a spousal support award:

The duration of the marriage

The property brought into the marriage by the parties

The contribution to the marriage by the parties

The age, physical health and emotional health of the parties

The contribution of one party to the education or training of another party

The earning capacity of each party

The provisions of a prenuptial agreement between the parties

Other economic and equitable considerations

How Much Does an Alimony Attorney cost?

Typically, alimony attorneys charge by the hour. However, your fees could be much higher if you take your case goes to trial. At times, it is much easier to negotiate your alimony payments outside of court but you must have a competent attorney. Our alimony attorneys are able to work out fee schedule and arrangements with clients.

Spouses may agree upon a spousal support award, or they may have the issue determined at trial. A judge may choose to deny a spousal support claim or award support in an amount and for a duration of time the court feels equitable. Given the complex range of issues that may be at play in a divorce involving a spousal support claim, it is critical that you have an experienced divorce attorney working on your behalf to protect your rights.