Debra Hockett-Clark has practiced divorce and family law for nearly 30 years. She is known for her attention to detail. Debra listens to her client's needs and makes sure that they know that she is on their side to guide them through the divorce process and not make their case more difficult. She realizes that clients with children will have an ongoing relationship with their ex-spouses for years to come. Most clients want to be able to move on after the divorce and be able to interact positively with their former spouse for the benefit of their children. Debra's clients are given the new option of a Collaborative divorce, an alternative to costly, time-consuming litigation that helps couples resolve disputes respectfully without going to court.
Child Support
Child support — Iowa law recognizes the duty of both parents to support their children. We work to obtain fair child support orders based on the parties’ true economic circumstances and help resolve disputes over child support payments.
Child Custody and Visitation
Adam J. Naset is an attorney with Hope Law Firm & Associates, P.C. Adam grew up in the state of Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2016 from Grand View University. Adam graduated from Drake Law School in May 2021. His practice areas include, but are not limited to: divorce, child custody, termination of parental rights proceedings, adoptions, civil no contact order proceedings and guardian ad litem work.
Adoption
Paternity
Guardianship
Guardianship — If you have a loved one who lacks the capacity to live independently, we can help establish guardianship for their protection.
Spousal Support
Alimony — Spousal support is not automatic. The court considers many factors when deciding whether alimony is called for and in what amount. Our attorneys work diligently to persuade the court to weigh factors that favor your future financial security.
Legal Separation
Legal separation — A legal separation resolves all the ancillary issues mentioned above and allows the parties to live separately but does not free the spouses to remarry. Individuals with a religious objection to divorce or those who need to stay married to remain eligible for benefits often choose legal separation.
Annulment
Annulment — If your marriage was not valid at its formation, the law allows you to annul your union and treats you and your spouse as though you were never married. Grounds for an annulment include one of the spouses being party to a pre-existing marriage that was not legally dissolved, lack of capacity to contract a legal marriage, and impotence at the time of the marriage.
Being arrested or charged with a crime is a highly nerve-wracking experience, whether it is your first encounter with the law or not. The criminal justice system is complex and best navigated with the help of a knowledgeable and aggressive criminal defense attorney serving Des Moines.
DUI/DWI
DUI: Whether it is your first or third criminal offense, the penalties for DUI can be life-changing. Our criminal defense lawyers want to help protect your driving privileges and ensure that you minimize or avoid other penalties like jail time and fines.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death: If a loved one suffers untimely death due to the negligence of others, we skillfully take the steps needed to pursue a successful legal action on your behalf.
Burglary
From 2007 to 2014, Jennifer was an assistant public defender in Des Moines. She handled a very high caseload of felony criminal offenses, including sex abuse, burglary, robberies, felony assaults, vehicular homicides, felony kidnapping, felony drug offenses, thefts, all property crimes, stalking, and at least 10 Class A kidnapping and murder cases.
Misdemeanors
Drug crimes: Hope Law Firm defends individuals charged with any type of drug crimes, from misdemeanor possession to felony drug trafficking charges. Our lawyers understand how to build a solid defense for drug crimes charges and look forward to putting our experience to work for you.
Drug Crimes
From 2003-2007, she was a prosecutor with the Warren County Attorney’s Office. She handled all criminal offenses, including simple misdemeanors, indictable misdemeanors and felonies. As a Warren County Assistant Attorney, she led the juvenile delinquency docket, and handled numerous jury trials including several felony drug cases and a vehicular homicide.
Assault
Murder
From 2014 to 2015, Jennifer was the lead felony prosecutor at the Story County Attorney’s Office and main sex abuse prosecutor. Jennifer took on a leadership role in the office training younger attorneys, police officers, SART nurses, etc. She also helped to prosecute one murder case in Story County. Jennifer is an experienced trail lawyer, averaging 6-8 jury trials a year for the past 15 years.
Juvenile Crimes
From 2000-2003, Jennifer practiced in all areas of family law, juvenile law and criminal defense at a private practice in Des Moines.
At Hope Law Firm, our Des Moines business formation attorneys are here to help you lay the legal foundation for your business. To schedule a consultation with our team and work with attorneys who can help make your dreams a reality, contact us online or via phone at
If you are eligible for any of these benefits but an insurer has denied your claim, our Des Moines workers' compensation attorneys are ready to fight for your rights.
If you are seeking the advice of an experienced licensed attorney about an issue arising out of Iowa real estate law, you should reach out to Hope Law Firm. Our Des Moines property attorneys have the experience and knowledge to protect your rights and advocate for you.
Real Estate Transactions
Transactions for the purchase and sale of real estate are heavily regulated by state and federal laws. Generally, real estate transactions are handled by licensed professionals, including agents who represent either the buyer or seller and brokers who help facilitate transactions.
Landlord-Tenant Disputes
Leasing property is a significant part of our real estate system. Buying and owning land is beyond the financial abilities of many people, depending on their location. In landlord-tenant cases, both parties have certain rights and duties with respect to each other.
Property Damage
Although you maintain insurance coverage on your residential, condominium, or commercial property, you may face a legal fight when property damage occurs. Although you should expect prompt, fair insurance payment, you may experience delays, denial, and financial disappointment instead.
Personal injury: Whether you are injured on the premises of another person or business, in a vehicle accident, or in any other accident caused by the negligence of others, we offer aggressive, prompt legal help in moving your case toward a favorable outcome. Our personal injury lawyers in Des Moines understand the serious effects of a broken leg or a dog bite, and we deliver skilled legal service and courteous personal support.
Medical Malpractice
At Hope Law Firm, we are determined to help injured patients recover for their losses. Medical injuries require complex proof that establishes causation and the full extent of the harm committed. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to investigate your medical injury, identify the at-fault parties, and prosecute your case vigorously. If you’ve been seriously injured by a healthcare professional anywhere in Iowa, our Des Moines medical malpractice attorneys are prepared to help. With Hope, you can move forward with your life.
Auto Accidents
Dog Bites
Shannon Henson primarily practices in the areas of personal injury and insurance claims arising from property damage to homes or businesses. In her personal injury practice, Shannon dedicates herself to obtaining fair outcomes for her clients who have suffered injuries as the result of automobile accidents, injuries sustained from slipping or falling due to the negligence of others, dog bites, and medical malpractice. She also represents homeowners and business owners in first-party breach of contract and bad faith cases against insurance companies who underpay, delay or deny their insurance claims.
Are you concerned about how your life and legacy will impact others after you pass away? Do you want to help secure the welfare of the people who are most important to you after your death? If so, you should work with an experienced Des Moines estate planning attorney from Hope Law Firm. Our legal team has the experience and knowledge to help you create a comprehensive estate plan that allows you to exercise the authority necessary to ensure your property and assets end up where you intend them to be upon your death.
Wills
In probate proceedings, courts rely on the terms of a person’s valid Last Will and Testament as the next best thing to their live testimony for proving their intent. When a person reduces their final wishes to a legally valid Will, it is considered to be an authoritative source evidencing what is called their “testamentary intent.” In contrast, when a person does not leave behind a valid Will, they are deemed to have died “intestate.”
Trusts
Power of Attorney
Estate planning: To make sure your assets and possessions are distributed according to your wishes after you pass away, you should carefully develop an estate plan utilizing not only a Will or Trust, but also powers of attorney and other legal instruments. At Hope Law Firm, our experienced estate planning attorneys in Des Moines can help you develop a comprehensive plan to accomplish your goals.