Atty. Stephen Joseph Belay

Atty. Stephen Joseph Belay

Stephen Joseph Belay is a lawyer practicing litigation, family law, mediation and 2 other areas of law. Stephen received a B.A. degree from University of Iowa in 1980, and has been licensed for 43 years.

Decorah Decorah 43 yrs experience 43 year
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Profile Summary

About Stephen Joseph Belay at a glance

Stephen Joseph Belay is an Attorney based in Decorah, Iowa, practicing at Anderson, Wilmarth, Van Der Maaten, Belay & Fretheim Law Firm. They have 43+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1983. Their practice focuses on divorce, family law, adoption, litigation, and adr. Admitted to practice in Iowa (1983) and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa (1985). Educated at University of Iowa (J.D., 1983) and University of Iowa (B.A., 1980). Recognitions include CV Notable. Active member of Winneshiek County, Iowa State (Chair, Young Lawyers Juvenile Law Committee, 1992—) and American (Chair, Young Lawyers Juvenile Justice Committee, 1992—) Bar Associations. Serands clients in Decorah, IA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Stephen Joseph Belay is a lawyer practicing litigation, family law, mediation and 2 other areas of law
  • Stephen received a B.A. degree from University of Iowa in 1980, and has been licensed for 43 years
  • Stephen practices at Anderson, Wilmarth, Van Der Maaten, Belay & Fretheim Law Firm in Decorah, IA and 1 other location

Practice Areas Explained

Stephen Joseph Belay's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Stephen Joseph Belay handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Divorce

A divorce attorney guides you through property division, spousal support, custody, and the final decree — contested or uncontested.

Stephen Joseph Belay is one of 50,487 divorce attorneys indexed nationally. Browse divorce attorneys in Iowa →

Family Law

Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.

Stephen Joseph Belay is one of 187,066 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Iowa →

Adoption

Stephen Joseph Belay is one of 15,997 adoption attorneys indexed nationally. Browse adoption attorneys in Iowa →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Stephen Joseph Belay is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Iowa →

Mediation & Arbitration

Mediators and arbitrators for civil, commercial, family, and employment dispute resolution.

Stephen Joseph Belay is one of 73,906 adr attorneys indexed nationally. Browse adr attorneys in Iowa →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Iowa

Practicing law in Iowa. Legal matters in Iowa are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Decorah are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Iowa state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Iowa brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Iowa courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Iowa attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Decorah or all attorneys in Iowa.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Stephen Joseph Belay

Where is Stephen Joseph Belay's law office located?
Stephen Joseph Belay's law practice is located in Decorah, Iowa. The firm is Anderson, Wilmarth, Van Der Maaten, Belay & Fretheim Law Firm. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Stephen Joseph Belay handle?
Stephen Joseph Belay focuses on divorce, family law, adoption, litigation, adr. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Iowa.
How long has Stephen Joseph Belay practiced law?
Stephen Joseph Belay has 43+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1983.
Where did Stephen Joseph Belay go to law school?
Stephen Joseph Belay earned their education at (J.D., 1983); (B.A., 1980).
How can I contact Stephen Joseph Belay for a consultation?
You can contact Stephen Joseph Belay directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Stephen Joseph Belay received?
Stephen Joseph Belay's notable recognition includes: CV Notable.

Education

J.D.
University of Iowa
- 1983
B.A.
University of Iowa
- 1980

Awards

CV Notable

Bar Admissions

Iowa
Admitted: 1983
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa
Admitted: 1985

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