FAQs – The Law Shop Iowa

We assist clients across the State of Iowa with:

• • Family Law – divorce, custody, support, adoption, and related matters
• • Child Welfare – Iowa Department of Health & Human Services interventions, Child in Need of Assistance proceedings, etc.
• • Personal Injury & Wrongful Death
• • Workers Compensation
• • Estate Planning & Administration (Probate)
• • Guardianship and Conservatorship
• • Criminal Defense
• • Realtor Real Estate Closing Packages
• • LLC Setup
• • Rural Water District Legal Advising

Our goal is to provide thoughtful, effective legal guidance tailored to your unique situation.

The Law Shop stands apart from traditional law firms by offering a personalized, story-driven approach that empowers clients to choose their own legal journey. Instead of one-size-fits-all representation, we provide unbundled and collaborative services designed to meet people where they are — emotionally, financially, and practically. Our team focuses on respect, teamwork, and creative problem-solving to help clients turn the page in their life stories with confidence and care.

At The Law Shop, we believe your story deserves more than a quick sales pitch. Our Shop Evaluation isn’t a typical “free consult” — it’s a meaningful, working session where we listen to your situation, explain the legal process, and help you understand your options. Because we provide real information and guidance (not pressure to hire us), we treat this time as the valuable professional service it is. By the end of your Shop Evaluation, you’ll have clear next steps and the knowledge to make informed decisions about how to move forward — with or without us.

*Shop Evaluations for personal injury or workers compensation matters are free of charge.

No. The Law Shop does not currently handle landlord/tenant matters or disputes.

Costs vary depending on the type and complexity of your case. During your Shop Evaluation, we’ll discuss fees openly so you have a clear understanding of potential costs before deciding whether to move forward with additional services from The Law Shop.

The easiest way to schedule a Shop Evaluation is through our Get Started page, where you can complete a short online form to begin the process. From there, a member of our team will contact you to guide you through the next steps. If you’d rather not submit the form online, you’re also welcome to call us at 515-996-4045, and we’ll help you get started that way instead.

At The Law Shop, we do law differently. Our team listens first, helps you understand your options, and works with you to design a legal path that fits your life — not the other way around. We recognize that most legal matters are about creating a plan, not about a fight — and even when conflict can’t be avoided, we stay focused on helping you move forward with clarity and purpose. Whether your next chapter involves family, future planning, or a fresh start, we’re here to help you turn the page with care and confidence.

Mediation is a guided conversation with a neutral professional who helps you and the other person in your legal matter find solutions that work for both of you. Instead of fighting it out in court, mediation gives you space to talk through concerns, explore options, and create your own agreements in a respectful setting. It’s confidential, often less stressful and expensive than trial, and helps many people reach lasting resolutions together.

Yes. The Law Shop assists with Iowa Limited Liability Company (LLC) setup, including preparation and filing of the Certificate of Organization with the Iowa Secretary of State, application for an EIN, and general advising on legal requirements for Iowa LLCs. We also provide draft organizational minutes and a draft operating agreement — customizable forms you can review and tailor before adding them to your Company Record Book. It’s a simple, supportive way to start your business story with confidence.

Even if your divorce is amicable, an attorney can help ensure all paperwork is accurate, your rights are protected, and the process is handled smoothly so you can move forward with confidence.

Yes. We help parents create clear, reasonable custody agreements designed to support the best interests of the children while minimizing stress and conflict for everyone involved.

Iowa law doesn’t currently recognize postnuptial agreements, but we can help you create a thoughtful premarital agreement before marriage. A premarital agreement isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s about love, care, and respect. It’s a way to say, “I love you so much that I want to be sure we’re both cared for, no matter what life brings.”

Collaborative Divorce is a respectful, team-based approach that helps couples resolve their divorce without going to court. Each person works with specially trained professionals — including attorneys, financial experts, and family specialists, who focus on open communication, problem-solving, and building solutions that meet everyone’s needs. All family law attorneys at The Law Shop are trained and certified in the Collaborative Process, ensuring you receive experienced, compassionate guidance as you work together toward a fair, customized agreement that supports your family’s future.

Every divorce has its own pace. When couples are able to work together, the process often moves more quickly; when there are more complex issues to resolve, it naturally takes longer. Your choice of lawyer and process can make a big difference too, working with mediators, family specialists, or neutral financial professionals before involving attorneys can often simplify things and reduce both time and cost. At The Law Shop, we help you find the path that best fits your story and your budget.

Yes. We can help you explore whether a modification makes sense for your situation. Changes to custody or support orders are not easy to obtain, and the legal standard is intentionally high. Before filing anything, we take the time to review your circumstances and assess whether your case may be strong enough to justify pursuing a modification. If, after fully discussing the facts and potential outcomes together, we both agree that moving forward is appropriate, we’ll guide you through each step with honesty, care, and clear direction.

Mediation is a guided conversation with a neutral professional who helps you and the other participant(s) work toward solutions that feel fair and workable for both/all of you. Mediation gives you the opportunity to create your own agreements in a more respectful, collaborative setting.

A mediator is a neutral third party who helps guide the conversation, clarify issues, and explore possible solutions. They do not take sides, give legal advice, or make decisions for you.

You are not required to have a lawyer present during mediation, but you can have one if you’d like. Some participants choose to simply consult with a lawyer before or after mediation to review agreements and understand their rights.

At The Law Shop, we support mediation in two different ways — depending on what you want or need:

• • Mediator – We have trained lawyer mediators who can serve as a neutral third party to guide both sides through the process and help reach agreements.

• • Mediation Representation – We can represent one person in a mediation using an outside neutral third party mediator. In that role, we help you prepare, understand your options, and advocate for outcomes that work for you — while keeping the process focused on resolution.

• Caucus Style – Mediator works with participants in separate spaces (most common in central and southwest Iowa).

• Conference Style – Mediators works with participants in the same space (more common in eastern Iowa).

• With either style of mediation, the mediator may offer the opportunity for participants to do individual caucus meetings from time to time if deemed appropriate by the mediator.

• Mediators typically charge an hourly rate, and the cost is often shared between the participants.

• If a specific program is used for scheduling the mediation, there may also be an administrative fee that is also typically shared by the participants.

• Mediation is significantly less formal and less expensive than going to trial.

Yes, mediation is a confidential process. In practice, that means:

• The mediator may share information between participants to help move discussions forward unless you (or your lawyer) tell the mediator certain information is not to be shared.

• The mediator cannot discuss your case with others or participate in court proceedings.

• If you reach a written, signed agreement, the mediator may later be asked only to confirm basic facts (date/time/location) and verify the signed agreement—not to disclose negotiations, offers, or private
discussions.

Note: Confidentiality generally applies only when the
participants (and their attorneys, if present) are the only people
involved—if third parties are in the room, those conversations
may not be protected.

Whether to allow a third party (a non-participant) in the room is within the mediator’s discretion. If a third party is permitted, the mediator may set ground rules about that person’s role (for example, whether they may speak, when they may speak, and whether they must remain silent and observe).

Mediation can cover any issue involved in a client’s legal matter.

Mediation works best when everyone arrives well-prepared—similar to trial preparation. Before mediation, participants should exchange all relevant information (especially financial documents) and, ideally, exchange at least one settlement proposal so there’s a clear starting point.

If lawyers will attend, it’s also helpful for counsel to bring (or circulate in advance) a draft settlement agreement that can be used to document final terms as they are reached.

Most mediations are scheduled for three hours, but that’s just a starting point—not a guarantee. Some cases resolve in a single session that may run a little shorter or longer, while others need additional sessions. There’s no “right” amount of time; we use as much time as needed to work through the issues as long as the process is moving forward in a productive direction.

We regularly conduct mediations virtually. Unless the participants or their attorneys request otherwise, the mediator will typically place each participant in a separate virtual room so they cannot see or hear each other during the session.

Mediation is available to any individuals or entities who want to resolve a dispute, whether or not a court case has been filed. In fact, it’s increasingly common to mediate before filing—such as when spouses work through parenting and financial issues in mediation prior to filing for divorce. Resolving issues early can save time and money, and often allows a lawyer’s role to focus primarily on drafting and filing the required court documents once agreements are reached.

Yes. We help individuals and families create wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other important documents to ensure your wishes are clearly outlined and legally protected.

An estate plan typically includes documents such as a will, trust, power of attorney, and healthcare directive. These tools work together to protect your assets, outline your wishes, and make things easier for your loved ones.

Having an estate plan ensures your property and personal wishes are handled according to your intentions under Iowa law. It can also help minimize confusion, reduce taxes, and prevent disputes among family members.

We guide individuals and families across Iowa through every step of the estate planning process — from drafting wills and trusts to establishing powers of attorney — always with care, clarity, and a focus on your goals.

Seek medical attention right away, then contact an attorney to discuss your options. At The Law Shop, we help clients throughout Iowa understand their rights and guide them through the process with care and clarity.

If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence — such as a car accident, unsafe property, or defective product — you may have a claim. We can review your situation and help determine the best path forward.

In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim in Iowa. It’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to preserve your rights and evidence.

A wrongful death occurs when a person’s death results from another’s negligence or wrongful act. Our team helps Iowa families pursue justice with compassion and respect during a difficult time.

We handle these cases with empathy and professionalism, focusing on fair outcomes that help clients move forward with confidence and peace of mind.

If you’re injured at work, Iowa law provides benefits such as medical care, wage replacement, and disability compensation. We can help ensure you receive the benefits you’re entitled to.

You’re not required to have an attorney, but having one can help ensure your rights are protected and that you receive full, fair benefits without unnecessary delays.

Report your injury to your employer right away, seek medical treatment, and keep records of everything. Then, reach out to us for guidance on the next steps.

No. Iowa law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for filing legitimate workers’ compensation claims.

You typically have 90 days to report the injury and up to two years to file a claim. We can help you stay within these important deadlines.

A guardianship involves decisions about a person’s care and well-being, while a conservatorship involves managing their financial matters. Both require court approval and oversight in Iowa.

These arrangements are typically needed when an adult or minor cannot make safe or informed decisions about their personal or financial affairs.

We help families throughout Iowa navigate the court process with compassion, ensuring the proposed plan truly serves the individual’s best interests.

Yes. If circumstances change, we can help you request modifications or termination through the court to reflect the current situation.

The court may appoint a family member, trusted friend, or qualified professional. We guide clients through the legal steps to ensure the right person is appointed.