Dissolution/Divorce Frequently Asked Questions
THORNTON & COY LAW OFFICE, PLC
QUESTION: What should I do if I am thinking about filing for
dissolution/divorce?
ANSWER: We would strongly encourage you to set-up an initial
appointment with either Jim Thornton or Jonathan Coy. At this initial
meeting, we will review your family's unique situation. We will cover
such issues as child custody, marital counseling, property division,
spousal support, court costs, and legal fees. Our initial consultation
is free.
If you are thinking about filing for a divorce/dissolution, or if you have
just been served with a divorce/dissolution petition, it is important to
consult with a qualified attorney to discuss your available legal
courses of action.
QUESTION: After meeting with an attorney, What steps need to be
taken to complete a divorce/dissolution in Iowa?
ANSWER: The first step is the preparation and filing of a Dissolution
of Marriage Petition. This Petition will list the general information
about you, your spouse, and your children, if applicable, and outline
the action you want the Court to take in your particular case. This
document is filed with the Clerk of Court and then must either be
served upon your spouse by a sheriff or private process server, or
your spouse can accept service of the Petition. Once service is
accomplished, a ninety day waiting period begins to run.
After being served, your spouse will have twenty days in which to file
an Answer. The Answer will generally give your spouse's responses
to the allegations contained in your Petition.
During the ninety day waiting period, most attorneys will work to come
to a joint settlement agreement between the parties, so that a trial will
not be necessary. If a joint settlement agreement can be reached,
the parties should not have to go to Court to finalize the dissolution.
If Children are involved, the parties will need to complete a Children
in the Middle course. The providers of this class can be found at the
Iowa Supreme Court website. (click on link: Children in the Middle)
If the parties can not agreement on a settlement of all matters, the
matter will be set for trial in most Iowa counties. In Polk County,
however, the matter will be set for mandatory mediation. Even
though the matter is set for trial, it still can often be resolved through
a settlement agreement, or the parties can agree to only have a
Judge decide a few issues, to save the time and money of the parties.
The final document entered is call a Dissolution Decree.
dissolution/divorce?
ANSWER: We would strongly encourage you to set-up an initial
appointment with either Jim Thornton or Jonathan Coy. At this initial
meeting, we will review your family's unique situation. We will cover
such issues as child custody, marital counseling, property division,
spousal support, court costs, and legal fees. Our initial consultation
is free.
If you are thinking about filing for a divorce/dissolution, or if you have
just been served with a divorce/dissolution petition, it is important to
consult with a qualified attorney to discuss your available legal
courses of action.
QUESTION: After meeting with an attorney, What steps need to be
taken to complete a divorce/dissolution in Iowa?
ANSWER: The first step is the preparation and filing of a Dissolution
of Marriage Petition. This Petition will list the general information
about you, your spouse, and your children, if applicable, and outline
the action you want the Court to take in your particular case. This
document is filed with the Clerk of Court and then must either be
served upon your spouse by a sheriff or private process server, or
your spouse can accept service of the Petition. Once service is
accomplished, a ninety day waiting period begins to run.
After being served, your spouse will have twenty days in which to file
an Answer. The Answer will generally give your spouse's responses
to the allegations contained in your Petition.
During the ninety day waiting period, most attorneys will work to come
to a joint settlement agreement between the parties, so that a trial will
not be necessary. If a joint settlement agreement can be reached,
the parties should not have to go to Court to finalize the dissolution.
If Children are involved, the parties will need to complete a Children
in the Middle course. The providers of this class can be found at the
Iowa Supreme Court website. (click on link: Children in the Middle)
If the parties can not agreement on a settlement of all matters, the
matter will be set for trial in most Iowa counties. In Polk County,
however, the matter will be set for mandatory mediation. Even
though the matter is set for trial, it still can often be resolved through
a settlement agreement, or the parties can agree to only have a
Judge decide a few issues, to save the time and money of the parties.
The final document entered is call a Dissolution Decree.
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Our firm's mission
is serve each client
in a prompt and
personal manner.
is serve each client
in a prompt and
personal manner.