Helping with family law matters in Waterloo and Waverly
At Gallagher, Langlas & Gallagher, P.C., we dependably serve the greater Waterloo community’s child custody needs. We work through mediation to avoid lengthy court battles when possible, but if a trial is necessary, we bring years of experience to the table to fight on your behalf. We understand your problems and partner with you in your legal challenges.
How do Iowa courts decide who gets custody?
Courts in Iowa follow a legal standard that puts the child’s best interests at the top of the priority list in custody issues. The court in your case considers many factors in evaluating your situation to decide what is in your child’s best interests, including:
- The child’s age, sex, mental and physical health
- The parents’ mental and physical health
- The parents’ lifestyle and other social factors, including any history of child abuse
- The emotional bond between parent and child and the parents’ ability to give the child guidance
- The parents’ ability to provide the child with food, shelter, clothing and medical care
- The child’s established living pattern (school, home, community, religious institution)
- The quality of the child’s education in the current situation
- The effect on the child of changing the status quo
- The child’s preference, if the child is mature enough to formulate and articulate an opinion (normally around age 12)
Custody battles can be contentious and emotionally draining. Enlisting the guidance of practiced Waterloo divorce lawyers can radically reduce your stress and anxiety and give you confidence in the outcome.
Parental rights and visitation in Iowa
Parents have a right to enjoy a significant bond with their children, whether they stay together or get divorced. Children need love and devotion from both parents. As skilled divorce attorneys, we understand that the goal of visitation is to nurture and support healthy parent-child relationships.
Unless a parent’s rights have been restricted or terminated for cause, Iowa parents should enjoy the following rights:
- The right to receive information from the other parent concerning the health, education and welfare of the child
- The right to communicate with the other parent to the extent possible before making a decision concerning the health, education and welfare of the child
- The right of access to medical, dental, psychological and educational records of the child
- The right to consult with a physician, dentist or psychologist of the child
- The right to consult with school officials concerning the child’s welfare and educational status, including school activities
- The right to attend school activities
- The right to be designated on the child’s records as a person to be notified in case of an emergency
- The right to consent to medical, dental and surgical treatment during an emergency involving an immediate danger to the health and safety of the child
- The right to manage the estate of the child to the extent that the estate has been created by the parent or the parent’s family
- The right to be informed by the other parent in a timely manner of significant information concerning the health, education and welfare of the child
Call award-winning family law attorneys for reliable advice
Gallagher, Langlas & Gallagher, P.C., provides compassionate representation for families in legal disputes. Serving the Waterloo and Waverly area for more than 60 years, we deliver results with unwavering integrity and professionalism.
