Top best Divorce & Separation Lawyers in West Des Moines | 13 available

Sam began his practice in Grinnell, Iowa where he maintained a general practice in the areas of civil litigation, criminal defense, business formation and planning, and estate planning.  Now in West Des Moines, Sam focuses his practice on litigation, with an emphasis in family law. Sam utilizes his diverse legal background to help clients with custody matters, distribution of property, business valuations, alimony, and child support. The knowledge gleaned in his prior practice allows Sam to vigorously represent his clients in the myriad of situations that can arise in a family law matter without jeopardizing the client’s best interest.  Never one to be at a loss for words or ideas, Sam relentlessly pursues his cases so that his clients may receive the best possible outcome.. In addition to his family law practice, Sam maintains and active practice in the areas of estate planning and probate.. Sam received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa in 2010, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Economics. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from Drake University Law School in 2013. Sam is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, the Young Lawyers Division of the Iowa State Bar Association, the Polk County Bar Association, and other organizations around the Des Moines Metro.  In his free time, Sam enjoys spending time with his wife or spending time outside cycling, skiing, or golfing.

Providing responsive, client-focused representation for family law clients throughout Iowa.. I am a prompt and effective communicator.  I understand that this is likely the most significant event in your life right now. Your choice of attorney is one of the most important choices that you will make in your family law case, and it's one of the first. I am proud that my clients choose to share their experiences with me in a public forum so that you can feel confident that you've made the right choice.. I am a native of the Des Moines area, and I attended Central Academy.  I graduated from Grinnell College in 2003 with a B.A. in Political Science.  I attended the Univeristy of Iowa College of Law, and obtained my J.D. in 2006, graduating With Distinction.

Married for 32 years and the mother of two boys and one girl, when I am not interacting with clients, attorneys and judges, with whom I have developed lasting professional relationships, I am often running my kids, enjoying movies and playing with our two English Springer Spaniels.  I am a sports memorabilia collector, a passion I share with my husband, I have met and received autographs from baseball greats Ted Williams, George Brett, Steve Garvey and Catfish Hunter, among countless others. An avid traveler, I have enjoyed trips to San Diego, New Orleans, the Grand Canyon, Bahamas and many other destinations. The best trip to date was our recent family vacation to Disney World. I enjoy movie marathons. My favorite films include Raiders of the Lost Ark, Silence of the Lambs, The Sound of Music and Forrest Gump.. Hailing from a small town south of Des Moines, complete with one traffic light, a grocery store and laundromat, my family law practice mirrors my homegrown upbringing—family and community come first. My father was a truck driver and my mother was a homemaker who instilled in me a strong work ethic. I was the first college graduate in my family. My personal motto is: treat others as you would want to be treated yourself. My husband and I were licensed pre-adoptive foster parents for seven years.. In 1993, after graduating law school, I began my family law practice. My philosophy is direct: every client deserves legal representation that is equal parts compassion and straightforwardness. I always ensures that my client’s needs are heard and respected. Often called a financial bean counter by colleagues due to my thoroughness, I am a sole practitioner, which means my clients only work with me. I view my family law practice as a facilitator allowing families to begin the healing process. I provide special counsel for divorcing parents to ensure that their children are not adversely affected by the separation/divorce process.. Trained as a Family Law Mediator (2004) and currently a mediator for family law matters.  I understand that clients come to my office during times of emotional turmoil. A firm supporter of Collaborative Law, my goal is to help client's reach resolution without going to court. I always provide an empathetic, accurate assessment of the facts to ensure each client arrives at the best possible solution.. Receiving my undergraduate degree from Grand View College in Des Moines in 1988, I graduated Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas in 1992. I have been a member of the Iowa State Bar Association since 1993. Additionally, I was the co-editor of the Family Law Newsletter for the Iowa State Bar Association from (1997 to 2002).  I served on the Polk County Bar Association Board of Directors 2009-2013, PCBA Executive Board Secretary 2017-2019, PCBA Vice President 2019-2020, PCBA President-Elect 2020-2021, PCBA President of the PCBA 2021-2022, Co-chair of PCBA Solo and Small Law Firm Committee (2015 to present), ISBA Section Counsel for the Family and Juvenile Law committee 2014 to present, ISBA Board of Governors from 2013 to 2017 and 2022 to present, Master in Jack Levin Family Law Inns of Court 2019 to present. I am also a member of the Polk County Women Attorney's Association and the Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys.

I strive to help others navigate our legal system, while also providing reassurance to those in the uncertain—and often difficult—time of a changing family dynamic.

I have been a practicing litigation attorney for nearly sixteen years.  During that time I have focused my practice on client relationships.  For each of my clients, their litigation may be the most important aspect of their lives.  I strive to provide personal and attentive service to each of my clients to help them through their litigation experience.  Clients expect prompt service, phone calls returned and personal attention.  I use that relationship to keep my clients calm and engaged in their litigation.  And of course, I utilize all resources available to obtain excellent results on behalf of my clients.

Evan Starcevic is Founder and Attorney at Starcevic Law.  The law firm stands for the proposition that good dads should have quality time with their kids, and collaborative law protects children from divorce.  Evan believes children of families who separate should not be forced to pick sides in their parents’ conflict, that kids should have the opportunity for maximum contact with both parents, and that reducing conflict for separating families helps children grow up to be healthy, successful adults.  Evan lives in Johnston, Iowa with his daughter and serves in the local Army National Guard.

Andrew B. Howie is a shareholder with the firm of Shindler, Anderson, Goplerud & Weese P.C. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, in 1993, and his J.D. with distinction from the University of Iowa in 1996. He is licensed to practice in Iowa (1996), the Northern and Southern Districts of the U.S. District Court of Iowa (1996), Eighth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals (1996), and the U.S. Supreme Court (1999). After graduating from law school in 1996, he served as a clerk for the Iowa District Court in Burlington for a year. Mr. Howie has practiced in Polk County since 1997.. He primarily practices in appellate law, having appeared in over 160 rulings from Federal and Iowa’s appellate courts, and hundreds of family law cases in trial court. He has been a member of the Iowa State Bar Association’s Family and Juvenile Law Section since 2002, having served as its Chair (2009–10), Vice-chair (2008–09), and chair of its Forms and Practice subcommittee (2004–08, 2010–present). He been a member of Iowa State Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Committee since 2004 and served as its Chair from 2012 to 2013.. He authored the Iowa State Bar Association’s “Family Law Manual”, published in 2008 and 2012, which is primary tool for judges and attorneys throughout Iowa.

Experienced Divorce & Separation attorney serving clients in West Des Moines and surrounding areas.