Written by Justin Riem Articles

Moving into a new home or building should be exciting, but architectural defects cause the excitement of relocating to be short-lived far too often. A common architectural defect includes roofing defects, whic…

According to the Iowa Child Support Guidelines, child support will be set using the parents’ net monthly incomes, among other factors. Often, the parties will dispute how to calculate the other’s income; typically arguing their personal income is…

Becoming a parent can be a life changing experience. Whether you are married or single, the mother or father, or an alleged father, the concept of paternity is a vast and important aspect of family law. Definitions First, you should know s…

Whether it is for you or your child, in order to get a name changed, you will need to obtain a court order. Name changes can be granted as part of divorce proceedings, but only for the soon-to-be ex-spouses, not for their children. Outside of divorce…

“Domestic abuse” is a rather general term, which, hopefully, you may never need to know or experience. However, if you are a victim or an alleged abuser, this brief article should give you a basic rundown of Iowa’s domestic abuse statute, how i…

An issue frequently arises when parties have a minor child together and one parent wants to relocate with the minor child. For purposes of this article, the motives behind the relocation will not be discussed, although they can play an important part…

Auto dealer law is a complicated set of laws that varies from state to state and serves to outline the regulations and qualifications that a car dealership must possess. From understanding car titles to …

Franchise acquisitions give business owners the opportunity to run a business under a structure that has already found success in the market. In the competitive market of automobiles, an automotive dealer may benefit from diversifying their franchise…

U.S. Supreme Court Looks at Service Advisor Overtime Pay The recent Supreme Court decision in Encino Motorcars, LLC v. Navarro is a major victory for dealerships in the battle with the Department of Labor on overtime pay to service a…

In early May, the New York Court of Appeals ruled in Beck Chevrolet v. General Motors that GM’s Retail Sales Index (RSI) was unlawful according to New York’s Motor Vehicle Dealer Act. This ruling is the culmination of a dispute between Bec…

In Iowa, when a dealership sells vehicles “out of trust” (SoT), it may subject the violator to criminal and/or civil litigation, loss of dealer license, and up to 20 years in federal prison (18 U.S.C. § 1963). Let’s follow Dealer X through the…

If you are selling a used vehicle “as is,” take steps to ensure that it doesn’t come back to haunt you. If you are providing limited warranties or service contracts, you need to be aware of the types of warranties that apply, and how to effecti…

Operating a dealership places numerous demands on a dealer, whether addressing issues requiring immediate attention or reviewing the annual operations to improve efficiency. The constant requirements placed on owner/operator…

Plaintiffs brought three interesting cases last year against automobile dealers and dealer groups regarding salespersons’ commissions and pay plans. These suits highlight the need for automobile dealers to:Have clearly written pay pla…

New motor vehicle dealers in Iowa periodically receive notices from manufacturers telling the dealer that the manufacturer has decided to alter the dealer’s protected sales area. Different manufacturers refer to this area by different names. For ex…

At Arenson Law Group, PC, we know that forming a new business in Cedar Rapids requires consideration of a substantial number of different factors. One of the most important of these considerations is the structure that the new company will take. Depending on t…

A sole proprietorship is one of several possible business models that our lawyers at Arenson Law Group, PC know you might be considering when forming your business in Cedar Rapids. As with any other type of business, there are many different r…

From small businesses to large ones and non-profits to for profit companies, every business relies on the creation of contracts. Contracts establish relationships between those people who are involved in a business, such as employees and employers, o…

Because corporations operate and are regulated under a unique set of laws and structures, the legal matters that corporate managers must deal with, both in the daily operations of the business and emergency situations, will also be unique to these ty…

When it comes to starting a business, two of the most important aspects to consider are what business structure you should use and how to organize your daily operations. The latter can la…

There is a constant demand for professional clinics in Cedar Rapids. The city needs dentists, chiropractors, physical therapists, optometrists, chiropractors and many more healthcare professionals to keep our community healthy. When a healthcare prof…

Due diligence is a business term referring to the research required before entering into a contract with another business or acquiring additional business. Due diligence is performed in the interest of discovering any outstanding debts or other risks…

Breach of contract is a serious matter that occurs when a legally binding agreement between two or more parties is broken. Furthermore, breach of contract constitutes any situation in which a party fails to perform an agreed upon term of a contract �…

As an employer, it is important that you have a thorough understanding of employee agreements. An employee agreement is a legally binding document that is designed to offer mutual prot…

During mergers and acquisitions, businesses go through an exciting reconstruction period. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, your business transactions are important to your continuing success. As such, hiring a

When most people find a design flaw in the architecture of a piece of property, they immediately blame the architect; in reality, a construction defect can happen in many other times during construction and must be investigated thoroughly. When there…

Divorce is fairly common in the United States, with over half of marriages ending in divorce. When a couple decides that divorce is the best path for them, they have several different options for the type of div…

If you and your spouse are considering a divorce, then you have probably heard of uncontested and contested divorce. However, there are alternatives to these traditional forms of divorce, and becoming knowledgeable about other option…

In mediated divorces, couples utilize the services of a neutral, court-appointed mediator to help negotiate every aspect of their divorce agreement. Many couples choose to pursue mediated divorce in an effort to both expedite the pro…

Before you walk down the aisle, putting all your financial cards on the table beforehand can be a very positive experience for a marriage. Sure, it’s not the most romantic gesture before a wedding to sign a prenupti…

Grandparents are special people in many children’s lives. When parents decide to divorce or separate, grandparents can often be kept from being able to see their grandchildren. Fortunately, in Iowa, grandparents can be granted the explicit legal ri…

While you may have done everything you possibly could to support your family, your personal and financial circumstances or those of your former partner are likely to have changed since the original child support…

When child support agreements are signed at the time of divorce, they are typically representative of each parent’s financial circumstances at the time. However, as time passes the financial circumstances of both parents is more than likely to chan…

When dealing with a child with unmarried parents, paternity must be officially established – usually through a DNA test. However, even after the legal paternity is determined, there are a number of complications that will need to be settled. Determ…

In a child custody case, any substance abuse problems for either parent can be a major deciding factor in the proceedings. The excessive use of drugs and alcohol can result in erratic behavior a…

Divorces can be hard, and divorces involving children can be especially difficult. What many individuals tend to forget while locked in the heat of a nasty contested divorce, is that the goal of separating from your ex is to allow you the opportunity…

Most people think of estate planning as a practice exclusive to the married and the wealthy. However, this is not the case; estate planning is offered to all adults and can bring peace of mind to loved o…

Boundary disputes strain the precarious relationships between neighbors, often creating hostile environments right outside your front door. One of the most common causes of boundary disputes between neighbors is when one party undertakes major proper…

Buying or selling a home is a major transaction. The entire process is costly, with unexpected fees and expenses occurring far too often. Real estate transactions and the accompanying paperwork can be confus…

Signing a new commercial lease can be an exciting time for any growing company. This new location can be the home of a company for many years and can be the place that professional dreams come true. However, without adequate preparation before signin…

In mediated divorces, couples utilize the services of a neutral, court-appointed mediator to help negotiate every aspect of their divorce agreement. Many couples choose to pursue mediated divorce in an effort to both expedite the pro…

Before you walk down the aisle, putting all your financial cards on the table beforehand can be a very positive experience for a marriage. Sure, it’s not the most romantic gesture before a wedding to sign a prenupti…

While you may have done everything you possibly could to support your family, your personal and financial circumstances or those of your former partner are likely to have changed since the original child support…

When child support agreements are signed at the time of divorce, they are typically representative of each parent’s financial circumstances at the time. However, as time passes the financial circumstances of both parents is more than likely to chan…

When dealing with a child with unmarried parents, paternity must be officially established – usually through a DNA test. However, even after the legal paternity is determined, there are a number of complications that will need to be settled. Determ…

In a child custody case, any substance abuse problems for either parent can be a major deciding factor in the proceedings. The excessive use of drugs and alcohol can result in erratic behavior a…

The decision to adopt a child is a life-altering choice that brings immense joy to a child and his or her new parents. Adoption offers an option to individuals and couples who want to grow their families by bringing a child without parents into their…

The legal processes associated with just about any aspect of family law can be quite difficult to work through on your own, let alone understand. As such, these legal matters should be handled by an experienced …

A contempt case, otherwise known as an application for rule to show cause, is an opportunity to explain yourself if you are accused of violating the terms of a legally binding divorce agreement. A divo…

Being a victim of domestic abuse can leave you feeling scared and helpless and can put you and possibly your children into a dangerous and very harmful situation. If you are the victim of domestic abuse, Iowa law affords you avenues of relief to seek…

A sole proprietorship is one of several possible business models that our lawyers at Arenson Law Group, PC know you might be considering when forming your business in Cedar Rapids. As with any other type of business, there are many different r…

Because corporations operate and are regulated under a unique set of laws and structures, the legal matters that corporate managers must deal with, both in the daily operations of the business and emergency situations, will also be unique to these ty…

When it comes to starting a business, two of the most important aspects to consider are what business structure you should use and how to organize your daily operations. The latter can la…

Most people think of estate planning as a practice exclusive to the married and the wealthy. However, this is not the case; estate planning is offered to all adults and can bring peace of mind to loved o…

There is a constant demand for professional clinics in Cedar Rapids. The city needs dentists, chiropractors, physical therapists, optometrists, chiropractors and many more healthcare professionals to keep our community healthy. When a healthcare prof…

Boundary disputes strain the precarious relationships between neighbors, often creating hostile environments right outside your front door. One of the most common causes of boundary disputes between neighbors is when one party undertakes major proper…

Buying or selling a home is a major transaction. The entire process is costly, with unexpected fees and expenses occurring far too often. Real estate transactions and the accompanying paperwork can be confus…

In order to conduct a successful business in today’s economy, your business will need to be aware of and work within a variety of highly complex business laws just to be competitive in the marketplace. Bearing that in mind, you should consider work…

Do death taxes make Iowa a bad place to die? You might think so if you saw a recent Wall Street Journal piece called “States Yo…

At Arenson Law Group, PC, we know that forming a new business in Cedar Rapids requires consideration of a substantial number of different factors. One of the most important of these considerations is the structure that the new company will take. Depending on t…

From small businesses to large ones and non-profits to for profit companies, every business relies on the creation of contracts. Contracts establish relationships between those people who are involved in a business, such as employees and employers, o…

Due diligence is a business term referring to the research required before entering into a contract with another business or acquiring additional business. Due diligence is performed in the interest of discovering any outstanding debts or other risks…

Breach of contract is a serious matter that occurs when a legally binding agreement between two or more parties is broken. Furthermore, breach of contract constitutes any situation in which a party fails to perform an agreed upon term of a contract �…

As an employer, it is important that you have a thorough understanding of employee agreements. An employee agreement is a legally binding document that is designed to offer mutual prot…

During mergers and acquisitions, businesses go through an exciting reconstruction period. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, your business transactions are important to your continuing success. As such, hiring a

Moving into a new home or building should be exciting, but architectural defects cause the excitement of relocating to be short-lived far too often. A common architectural defect includes roofing defects, whic…

Non-Compete agreements are designed to protect the interests of a company. Many companies require that employees sign such documents upon hire. Signing a non-compete usually means employees agree not to start a competing business or work for a compet…

When most people find a design flaw in the architecture of a piece of property, they immediately blame the architect; in reality, a construction defect can happen in many other times during construction and must be investigated thoroughly. When there…

Signing a new commercial lease can be an exciting time for any growing company. This new location can be the home of a company for many years and can be the place that professional dreams come true. However, without adequate preparation before signin…