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Case No. 23-1240

For summaries from opinions prior to August, 2018, view PDF versions here

In re the Marriage of Cowern

Brandis Kay Cowern, Petitioner-Appellee

David Read Cowern, Respondent-Appellant

Attorney for Appellant

Kolby P. Warren

Attorney for Appellee

Chira L. Corwin

Court of Appeals

Court of Appeals Opinion

Opinion Number:
23-1240
Date Published:
May 08, 2024
Summary

            Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Jeanie Vaudt, Judge.  AFFIRMED.  Considered by Schumacher, P.J., and Ahlers and Langholz, JJ.  Opinion by Langholz, J.  (9 pages)

            Read Cowern appeals from a district court order modifying the joint-physical-care provision of the decree dissolving his marriage with Brandis Cowern.  He argues that rather than placing their children in Brandis’s physical care, the court should have placed them in his care or increased the amount of his visitation.  OPINION HOLDS: Discord between the parents amounted to a substantial change in circumstances warranting modifying the physical-care provision of the decree.  And placement with Brandis and the modified care schedule serves the best interests of the children by creating more stability for the children and reducing points of conflict between the parents.  We also award Brandis appellate attorney fees.   

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