Babich Sarcone Attorneys At Law

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Aggressive Iowa Family Law Advocacy

Last updated on June 19, 2026

There’s nothing more personal and important than family – and there’s nothing more painful and emotional than when a family breaks apart. The family law attorneys at Babich Sarcone have a passion for helping clients navigate through those stormy times and set a course for a long-term recovery.

Our highly experienced lawyers collaborate to provide our best advice for every client, and we practice with a sensitivity for the welfare of any children involved. You can trust the experience, knowledge and practical counsel of our Des Moines family law attorneys during these difficult times.

We work hard for all our clients, from simple divorces without children to divorces involving multimillion-dollar businesses or hundreds of acres of farmland. Regardless of the size of the case or the complexity of the legal and emotional issues involved, we will put in the time required.

Complex Financial Litigation In Iowa Divorce Cases

High-asset Iowa divorces require more than a basic property spreadsheet. When a marital estate includes various properties, the case should be prepared as financial litigation from the start. The properties include:

  • Closely held company
  • Partnership interest
  • Farm operation
  • Inherited land
  • Equipment debt
  • Grain contracts
  • Retained earnings
  • Minority ownership interests

In corporate and farm asset division, Iowa courts apply equitable distribution, which means the result must be fair under the facts, not automatically equal. Our lawyer may need to work with forensic accountants, valuation analysts, tax professionals and agricultural finance specialists to identify:

  • Marital and premarital ownership interests
  • Machinery, livestock, crop inventory and operating debt
  • Shareholder distributions and retained corporate earnings
  • Personal expenses paid through the business
  • Tax consequences tied to the sale, transfer or offset payments

Recent 2026 Iowa family law updates also make technical case preparation more important. Child support modification analysis now requires careful comparison between the existing order and the current Iowa Child Support Guidelines.

Custody litigation also increasingly depends on admissible evidence, parenting records, safety concerns, school involvement and credible witness testimony rather than broad claims about parenting ability.

For complex cases, institutional courtroom experience matters. Our firm prepares every financial exhibit, expert report and custody record with trial in mind to be better positioned to negotiate from strength or present the case clearly if settlement fails.

Prepared To Handle Your Family Law Matter

We focus a significant part of our firm practice to divorce and other family law challenges. We offer representation in the areas of:

Your Fight Is Our Fight, And You Have Our Support

At Babich Sarcone, we believe every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and has a right to be heard. We understand that divorce is about change and that there is no such thing as an easy divorce. Family law cases involve far more than just arguments about the law. The practice area involves personal and emotional factors that cannot be ignored. Our experienced attorneys have been through the process many times and will advise you regarding what results you can reasonably expect to obtain. They will help prepare you for all aspects of a case and answer the questions you may have along the way.

Do You Need A Family Law Lawyer?

Even in cases where both spouses want to work together to resolve their divorce, you should always have a family law attorney at your side. We can help guide you through your case to ensure you are defending the best interests of yourself and your children while not giving up more than necessary in a divorce. We can also work to pursue a swift and efficient resolution to your legal needs.

How Long Does A Divorce Take?

In Iowa, there is a mandatory 90-day waiting period before a final divorce decree, which means the fastest divorces still take at least three months to resolve. If the divorce is complicated, it can take several months or longer to resolve.

How Does Iowa Divide Marital Property?

Iowa courts use the “equitable distribution” method of dividing assets. This method seeks to split assets fairly between both parties, which may not always result in a 50/50 split. For example, if one spouse contributed more to the marriage, they may receive a larger total portion of the assets in the divorce.

Can A Child Support Order Be Modified Under The 2026 Iowa Statutory Changes?

Yes. Under Iowa law, child support may be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances. A major threshold is whether the current order differs by 10% or more from the amount that would be due under the most current Iowa Child Support Guidelines.

A parent should not rely on informal agreements. Until the court changes the order, the existing obligation remains enforceable.

How Are Multigenerational Family Farms Or Closely Held Businesses Divided In An Iowa Divorce?

Iowa courts divide marital property equitably, which can be complex when a farm or business has been operated by several generations. The court may need to determine what portion is marital, whether inherited or gifted assets were commingled and how to value ownership interests.

Forensic accounting and corporate valuation can help trace funds, review tax returns, analyze debt and determine whether income has been understated. In many cases, the solution involves offsets, structured payments or asset transfers rather than forcing a sale.

Get The Help You Need To Resolve Your Family Law Situation

We know that all our clients go through a wide range of emotions and challenges, and we work hard to help clients process the range of emotions they experience and overcome any challenges they face. To set up a confidential initial consultation, call our offices in Des Moines at 515-817-1870 or request an appointment using our online intake form.