Family Law

• Divorce
  Jeff Smith has been practicing law for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in handling divorce and family law cases throughout the area. Because his is a sole practitioner law firm, you will get the personalized service you need from an attorney who will be the only one responsible for your legal matter from start to finish.
• Child Support
  In Iowa, parents are responsible for the financial support of their children, whether married or not. Guidelines exist under Iowa law, which determine the amount of child support to be paid. If you need assistance with this, the Ottumwa / Oskaloosa divorce attorney can advise you on this. Furthermore, if you are the unmarried mother of a child, by establishing the paternity of your child's father, you can obtain necessary child support payments. Paternity is generally established through DNA testing. Modifications of child support payments can also be sought through the courts in cases where there has been a substantial change in the circumstances of the child or parents, such as when a paying parent loses employment.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  Child custody is one of the most contentious and painful issues that arise out of the divorce process. If you are involved in a child custody dispute in Ottumwa, Oskaloosa, or anywhere in Iowa, you will want to be represented by an attorney who has extensive experience and knowledge with the laws and precedents in this area and who will aggressively fight for your rights and interests in any related litigation. That is the service you will find with the Ottumwa child custody lawyer at the Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Smith. Our firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients to the fullest extent of the law and helping ensure that you retain all of the legal benefits to which you are entitled.
• Adoption
• Paternity
• Premarital Agreement
  Family law is that legal field which covers family and domestic matters, such as divorce and its related issues, as well as issues such as paternity, guardianship, adoption, prenuptial agreements, domestic violence, orders of protection, grandparents' rights, and more. In every divorce, you and your spouse will have to resolve all of the matters pertaining to the dissolution of your marriage, including the equitable distribution of marital property, child custody, child support, spousal support, and child visitation. The decisions you make about these issues can have a deep and long-lasting impact on your financial situation as well as your family relationships. Divorce and other family law matters can be the source of extreme emotional distress because of the deeply personal nature of the relationships involved. That is why you need an attorney who can provide you with practice guidance throughout this often divisive and difficult process.
• Guardianship
  If you need legal assistance with a guardianship or an adoption in Oskaloosa or anywhere in Iowa, you may need an experienced family lawyer to help you resolve the matter. In either of these matters, you can get professional legal guidance from the Ottumwa family attorney at the Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Smith. Jeff has more than 20 years of experience handling family law matters for clients throughout the area. To get the legal advice that you need in guardianship and adoption issues, we recommend that you contact the firm to schedule a legal consultation about your concerns as soon as possible.
• Spousal Support
  Spousal support or maintenance on a temporary or permanent basis may or may not be granted to a spouse in a divorce, depending on the facts of the case. To get specific legal guidance on this issue, you should consult with our attorney.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  If you are facing charges of assault, you may be facing jail time, heavy fines, probation, and other court penalties. It is always in your best interests to have a competent criminal defense attorney working on your behalf as early in your case as possible. As an Ottumwa / Oskaloosa assault lawyer, Jeff Smith can work to minimize the adverse consequences of such charges, making a thorough investigation of the case against you and negotiating on your behalf with prosecutors.
• DUI/DWI
  Contact the Ottumwa OWI lawyer at the firm if you have been charged with drunk driving or impaired driving today.
• Wrongful Death
  If you have lost a family member in an accident or event caused by the negligence or intentional wrongdoing of another, you should consult with an experienced attorney. In the wake of such a devastating event, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim in which you can recover financial compensation for damages connected to the loss of your loved one. If you are located in Ottumwa, Oskaloosa, or anywhere in Iowa, we strongly urge you to contact the Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Smith to arrange a legal consultation. As an Ottumwa / Oskaloosa wrongful death lawyer, Jeff can review your situation to determine the proper course of action and initiate any legal procedure on your behalf.
• Traffic Violations
  If you are facing a traffic violation in Ottumwa, Oskaloosa, or anywhere in Iowa, you can get competent legal representation from the Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Smith. By automatically paying your fines, you are admitting guilt in any traffic citation, which will be reported to the Iowa Department of Transportation. You do have the right to fight the charges by appearing in court. With the help of the Ottumwa / Oskaloosa traffic violation lawyer at the firm, you may be able to avoid a conviction along with accrued points, in some cases.
• Sex Crimes
  Being accused of a sex crime is a serious matter which requires immediate and effective legal representation. The mere accusation of a sex crime can compromise your personal relationships, job relationships, and other social areas. Your reputation is at stake, along with your freedom and future. If convicted, you may face years in prison and mandatory sex offender registration, which is a devastating penalty that may follow you for the rest of your life. Having an experienced and dedicated criminal defense attorney in your corner is your best weapon in these circumstances.
• Fraud
  Drug charges include simple possession, which means that the quantity involved was for personal use only. More serious drug charges include possession with the intent to sell or distribute, cultivation, manufacture, and trafficking in controlled substances such as marijuana, cocaine, crack, methamphetamines, LSD, opium, heroin, and more. Drug crimes also include the possession of drug paraphernalia and prescription fraud, which is the unauthorized obtainment of prescription drugs such as Vicodin, Xanax, OxyContin, and others.
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
  Our firm handles criminal cases in both state and federal courts. If you have been accused of a crime or are being investigated for criminal activity, you should not speak to investigators or law enforcement personnel without a criminal defense lawyer by your side. The sooner you retain the services of our attorney who is well-versed in criminal law and procedures, the better off you will be. Your case will be investigated, evidence gathered and reviewed, so that informed decisions about how to proceed can be made. Whether you are facing charges related to drug crimes, sex crimes, weapons charges, assault and battery, domestic abuse, shoplifting, theft crimes, disorderly conduct, fraud, manslaughter, murder or any other type of misdemeanor or felony, it is in your best interests to get experienced help from our firm immediately.
• Drug Crimes
  The penalties you face in any drug charge will depend on the amount of drugs involved, whether others were involved in the situation which could be considered conspiracy, if you were arrested near a school or in an area where there are children, and if you have a prior conviction. As an Ottumwa / Oskaloosa drug crimes lawyer, Jeff Smith will investigate the charges against you, looking for any mistakes or improper procedure committed by law enforcement and for other evidence in your favor. He can also negotiate on your behalf with prosecutors in an attempt to get charges and / or penalties reduced.
• Assault
  Assault refers to threatening someone with immediate harm. You don't have to actually make physical contact with another person to be charged with assault. The person who is assaulted must be in fear of immediate bodily injury, however. If you threaten someone with a weapon but never use it, you are guilty of assault. When you actually use force or violence against another, such as hitting, punching, or otherwise physically harming someone, you have committed the crime of battery. You can be charged with both assault and battery as separate charges.
• Murder
  Jeff Smith has been practicing law for more than 20 years and has substantial experience in defending individuals in criminal cases. He has handled an extensive number of jury trials involving criminal charges, including murder. In this important legal matter where your future is at risk, you will want someone with his experience and dedication to results.
• Homicide
  The penalties you face in any charges relating to homicide will depend on your intent at the time of the incident and other facts, such as any prior criminal history. Retaining the dedicated legal services of the Ottumwa / Oskaloosa murder attorney at the firm is one of the most important steps you can take in ensuring that your rights are protected and that you have the best chance for a favorable result.
• Shoplifting
• Manslaughter
  Murder involves the intentional killing of another person. Generally, any murder that is planned ahead of time or one that occurs during the course of committing another crime is charged as first-degree murder. All others are considered second-degree, which is slightly less serious. Related crimes are vehicular manslaughter, voluntary manslaughter, and involuntary manslaughter.
• Prostitution
  Our firm handles all types of sex offense charges, including sexual assault, rape, indecent exposure, lewd or lascivious conduct, child molestation, child pornography, prostitution, solicitation of a prostitute, and more. Many of these charges will result in mandatory sex offender registration, if convicted, along with prison sentences, hefty fines, probation, and a future with a permanent criminal record. In the face of such negative consequences, you will need the dedicated services of the Ottumwa / Oskaloosa sex crimes lawyer handling your defense as early as possible to protect your rights and advance your best interests throughout the criminal legal process.

Employment Law

• Workers Compensation
  If you have been injured in the workplace in Iowa, you will generally be eligible for workers' compensation benefits if those injuries were a direct result of doing your job. As an Ottumwa / Oskaloosa workers' compensation attorney, Jeff Smith can assist you in obtaining the benefits to which you may be entitled. If you are an employee in Ottumwa, Oskaloosa, or anywhere in Iowa, it is highly advised that you contact the Law Offices of Jeff Smith to set up a time when you can discuss your case directly with him. As a sole practitioner in the area, he will personally handle your case from beginning to end.

Property Law

• Premises Liability
  Premises liability refers to the concept that property owners are responsible for providing a reasonably safe environment to those who visit the premises, whether as guests, customers, service personnel, or patrons. If the property owner is negligent in correcting a known hazard which results in the injuries of another, he or she may be liable for damages connected with the accident. Injuries that can occur may be the result of a property defect, such as a broken staircase, or may be the result of negligent security where visitors are attacked in a criminal act by a third party. Such accidents and incidents can occur on both public and private property.
• Property Damage
  Auto accidents are a common occurrence on the roads and highways across the country. They may be caused by an inattentive or distracted driver, a driver who engages in illegal maneuvers, drunk or drug-impaired drivers, or through some other type of misconduct. When you are seriously injured due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another, you deserve to be compensated for such damages as your past and future medical expenses, lost wages, property damage to your vehicle, pain and suffering, and other relevant damages. By discussing your case with the Ottumwa / Oskaloosa car accident attorney at the firm, you can get competent legal advice about your legal rights and your claim to compensation.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Have you been seriously injured in an auto accident in Ottumwa, Oskaloosa, or anywhere in Iowa? Were you injured due to the negligence or misconduct of another driver? If so, you may have a personal injury case in which you are entitled to financial compensation for the damages you have suffered in connection with the accident. To get a review and evaluation of your situation, you should contact the Ottumwa / Oskaloosa personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Smith. You will be able to find out if you have a legitimate case for which you can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Jeff Smith has been practicing law for more than 20 years and has helped many individuals throughout the area recover settlements through negotiation with insurance companies or through the courts.
• Auto Accidents
• Slip and Fall Injury
  To get specific legal guidance on your slip and fall injuries, you should talk to the Ottumwa / Oskaloosa slip and fall attorney at the firm as soon as possible.

Trusts and Estates

• Probate