Fathers’ Rights Attorney in Des Moines, Iowa

Protecting Fathers’ Rights in Des Moines, Iowa

Fathers play a vital role in their children’s lives, offering emotional support, guidance, stability, and love. Yet, when family structures change—through separation, divorce, or the end of a non-marital relationship—fathers often worry that their parental rights may be overlooked or minimized in court. Whether you’re seeking custody, parenting time, or decision-making authority, you deserve to have your voice heard and your relationship with your child respected.

At Feitelson Law Firm, our Des Moines fathers’ rights attorney is committed to protecting and asserting fathers’ legal rights throughout Iowa. With over 20 years of family law experience, we know how to navigate the courts, challenge outdated assumptions, and fight for fair outcomes in custody, visitation, child support, and paternity matters. We aim to ensure you remain active, involved, and respected in your child’s life—because your role as a father matters.

Whether you’re facing a custody dispute, establishing paternity, or modifying an existing court order, we’ll stand by your side and advocate for your rights as a parent, starting with a free consultation.

Do Fathers Have Equal Rights in Iowa Custody Cases?

Under Iowa law, mothers and fathers are entitled to equal consideration regarding child custody. The court does not favor one parent over the other based on gender. Instead, all custody decisions are made based on the child’s best interests, which includes maintaining strong relationships with both parents whenever possible.

Despite this legal standard, many fathers still encounter challenges, especially if they were not the primary caregiver or if they were never married to the child’s mother. Our attorney helps fathers present their strengths and demonstrate their commitment to their child’s well-being clearly and compellingly.

When deciding custody, the court considers the following:

• Each parent’s involvement in the child’s life.
• The ability to provide a safe, stable home.
• The emotional bond between the child and each parent.
• The parents’ ability to communicate and co-parent.
• Any history of domestic violence or substance abuse.

We work with fathers to build a case that reflects their strengths as caregivers and protectors—and to ensure their rights are recognized throughout the custody process.

What Are a Father’s Rights If He Is Not Married to the Child’s Mother?

For unmarried fathers, asserting parental rights requires an extra step: establishing legal paternity. In Iowa, even if the unmarried father’s name is on the birth certificate, it doesn’t automatically grant him full legal rights and responsibilities. However, it’s a crucial first step towards establishing paternity, which is necessary for him to gain those rights.

Without legal paternity, a father cannot seek custody or visitation and may not have a say in critical decisions about the child’s upbringing.

Establishing paternity gives you:

• Legal recognition as the child’s father.
• The right to seek custody or visitation.
• The ability to participate in decision-making regarding the child’s education, medical care, and more.
• The responsibility to provide financial support, if applicable.

Our Des Moines attorney helps fathers file paternity actions, respond to paternity claims, and request DNA testing when necessary. Once paternity is established, we guide you through the following steps—negotiating a parenting plan or petitioning the court for custody.

Can Fathers Get Sole or Primary Custody of Their Children?

While joint custody is shared in Iowa, fathers can obtain sole or primary custody in cases in the child’s best interest. Courts are focused on stability, safety, and the child’s long-term well-being—not gender roles or outdated stereotypes.

A father may be awarded primary physical custody if:

• He has been the child’s primary caregiver.
• The mother is unwilling or unable to provide a safe, stable environment.
• The child has a stronger bond with the father.
• The mother has a history of neglect, substance abuse, or violence.

Our attorney will review the facts of your case, gather evidence of your involvement and parenting strengths, and present a compelling argument to the court. We know your relationship with your child is essential—and we will fight to protect it.

What Parenting Time Rights Do Fathers Have?

Even when one parent is awarded primary physical custody, the other parent—often the father—is still entitled to meaningful parenting time unless there are compelling reasons to limit it. Courts recognize that regular and consistent contact with both parents benefits a child’s emotional and developmental well-being.

Parenting time, also called visitation, may be:

• Standard, such as alternating weekends, holidays, and summer breaks.
• Expanded, more frequent overnight or weekday visits.
• Supervised, if there are safety concerns, visits may occur in the presence of a third party.
• Custom, tailored to your work schedule, child’s needs, or long-distance arrangements.

At Feitelson Law Firm, we help fathers secure parenting plans that foster strong, lasting relationships. We also represent fathers in enforcement and modification actions if the other parent refuses to follow the schedule or circumstances change.

What If the Other Parent Is Interfering With My Parental Rights?

It’s not uncommon for fathers to face interference after a divorce or paternity order. You may be denied your scheduled visitation, excluded from school or medical decisions, or blocked from communicating with your child. These actions are unfair and may violate the law and your existing court order.

Parental interference can take many forms, including:

• Refusing to exchange the child during scheduled parenting time.
• Failing to share important information about the child’s health or education.
• Making negative comments about you to the child.
• Relocating the child without consent or court approval.

Our attorney will take swift legal action to protect your parental rights. This may include filing a motion to enforce the order, seeking a modification, or requesting court sanctions against the other parent.

Can Fathers Modify Existing Custody or Support Orders?

Yes. As life changes, so do the needs of families and children. If you’ve experienced a substantial change in circumstances, you may be eligible to modify your custody, visitation, or child support order. For fathers, this can be a valuable way to gain more time with your child, reduce unfair financial burdens, or update a plan that no longer works.

Reasons to request a modification may include:

• A change in your work schedule or income.
• The other parent’s relocation or remarriage.
• Your child’s changing needs or preferences.
• The other parent violating or ignoring the current order.

Feitelson Law Firm helps fathers navigate the legal process to modify orders and advocate for arrangements that reflect current realities. We’ll ensure your request is supported by evidence and focused on what’s best for your child.

How Can a Fathers’ Rights Lawyer in Des Moines Help?

Legal advocacy for fathers goes beyond simply knowing the law—it requires a strategic, compassionate approach that addresses the emotional and practical realities of parenting. At Feitelson Law Firm, we understand the unique challenges fathers face in Iowa’s family law system, and we are committed to helping you protect your role, your rights, and your relationship with your child.

We assist fathers with:

• Establishing legal paternity.
• Seeking joint or sole custody.
• Negotiating fair parenting time.
• Enforcing court orders and addressing parental interference.
• Modifying custody or support orders.
• Navigating false or exaggerated allegations.

You deserve legal representation that sees you as more than a paycheck or an afterthought. Our lawyer works closely with each client to develop a strong, personalized legal strategy based on facts, family goals, and your child’s well-being.

We Also Focus on the Following Areas:

• Adoptions
• Child Custody 
• Child Support
• Child Support Enforcement
• Paternity
• Divorce
• Domestic Violence
• Modification of Child Support or Modification of Custody
• Prenuptial Agreements
• Spousal Support

Take the Next Step Toward Protecting Your Role as a Father: Contact Feitelson Law Firm Today

Being a father is one of life’s most important responsibilities—and rights. Whether you’re building a parenting plan, protecting your time with your child, or asserting your legal rights in court, Feitelson Law Firm is here to support you.

Contact our Des Moines fathers’ rights attorney today to schedule a consultation. We’ll answer your questions, listen to your concerns, and help you build a path forward that keeps your child at the center of every decision.