divorce

July 21, 2020

Miller Elected to Board of Governors

Press Release:

Donna Miller, partner at Miller, Zimmerman & Evans, PLC in Des Moines, has been elected to serve on The Iowa State Bar Association Board of Governors beginning in June 2020.

The Iowa State Bar Association is an organization that facilitates professional growth and collegiality among Iowa attorneys. The association represents approximately 7,500 lawyers from all practice areas across the state and is governed by a Board of Governors elected from each of the state’s 14 judicial election districts, led by an elected slate of officers (President, President-elect and Vice President).

Miller has been practicing law for over 25 years, and her areas of focus are family law, workers’ compensation and personal injury defense. She previously served as the Polk County Bar Association Board President. She is a member of the Jack Levin Inn of Court and she was appointed by the Iowa Supreme Court to serve as a member of the Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission. She also serves as a board member of the Iowa chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.

June 1, 2020

Sole Custody – What Does That Even Mean?

by Brooke Thompson

When people come into my office, a common request is “I want sole custody” or “I want primary custody.” But what does that really mean?

To start, there are two basic types of custody: legal custody and physical care. Legal custody relates to the right to information as well as the responsibilities of decision making regarding the child. This includes medical, education, religious and other major life decisions regarding the child. Physical care, on the other hand, is the amount of time each parent has with the child and who the child will live with.

Joint legal custody gives both parents equal rights regarding those important decisions relating to the child. Sole legal custody means one parent gets to make the important decisions alone. Sole legal custody is reserved for only the most serious cases where there is a true need for one parent to make decisions.

Joint physical care (also called shared care) means that the child spends roughly equal time at both parents’ homes while primary physical care means the child primarily resides in one home and the other parent has parenting time with the child. Also, the parents split expenses equally with joint physical care. The primary parent pays most of the expenses (and receives more child support) when primary care is in place.

The “right” kind of custody for each family is different. More importantly, there is not a singular parenting plan that works for every family. The schedule that will work for you and your family is different than other families, and that is okay! My greatest rewards are helping each family find what is going to work for them going forward. Please reach out to discuss the right kind of custody for you and your family at 515-809-9699.

April 28, 2020

Divorce? You need a plan.

When I talk to a new client, they may have questions about joint custody, how much child support will be, or what will happen to the house. But regardless of what topics they want to discuss, they all really want the same thing – a plan.

Even though most people have talked to someone who has gone through a divorce or custody case, or been through it themselves, they want to know what the process is going to be and what their options are. How is the visitation schedule going to work? How do we split the house if neither of us can afford to live there? Will the IRA they had prior to the marriage be divided? Will I have to go to court?

They feel relief after talking about their options. I remember this from my own divorce. The hour I spent with a family law attorney brought me a calm I still remember 18 years later.

Sometimes the law can’t provide my clients with the resolution they want. Sometimes, we have to talk about the least-lousy option of all the lousy options. But, even if none of their choices are ideal, they are grateful to know what they are. There is relief in understanding what the future holds, and knowing where you are going, even if it is not going to be pleasant.

It is fulfilling to be able to help a client understand their path forward and formulate their own plan. We can craft a plan for you and your children based on your financial situation, your schedule, and your needs. You can reach me at 515-809-9699 or dmiller@mzelaw.com.

Miller Elected to Board of Governors

Sole Custody – What Does That Even Mean?

Divorce? You need a plan.

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Office location: 535 S.W. 11th Street, Suite 100, Des Moines (corner of S.W. 11th and Murphy St.)