Family Attorney in Sioux Falls, SD
Locally Owned and Operated Since 1996
At Lockwood Zahrbock Kool Law, we know that family legal matters are among the most personal and challenging experiences you’ll face. For over 30 years, our team has stood alongside families in this community — listening carefully, advocating fiercely, and working together to find the best path forward. We believe every client deserves both skilled representation and a compassionate ear, and we bring both to every case we handle. When your family’s future is at stake, you deserve a team that truly has your back.

Divorce
We understand that divorce can be a painful time in your life. We make personal connections with our clients and take the time to ensure you get the personal attention you need.
Child Custody
Child custody disputes can be difficult and contentious. Our attorneys will guide you through the process for the best possible outcome for your family. Call us for a free initial consultation!
Criminal Law
At Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office, we can protect your rights and fight for your best interests when you've been charged with a criminal offense.
Juvenile Law
Our attorneys are experienced with handling criminal cases involving juveniles. We make sure you understand what to expect in your child's trial and what consequences they may face.
Frequently Asked Questions
What areas of law does Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office focus on?
Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office provides comprehensive support in both family law and criminal defense. On the family law side, the firm handles divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, protection orders, adoption, and estate planning such as wills. In criminal defense, the attorneys assist clients facing DUI charges, juvenile matters, and other criminal issues. Working with a criminal and family attorney in Sioux Falls, SD ensures that you have a team familiar with the local courts and legal procedures who can address a broad range of legal challenges efficiently and compassionately.
Why should I hire an attorney instead of handling my case on my own?
Why Go It Alone When the Stakes Are This High?
Family and criminal legal matters are high-stakes, emotionally raw, and built on rules most people never learned. One missed deadline, one wrong word, one procedural misstep can cost you everything. An experienced family and criminal attorney in Sioux Falls doesn’t just know the law—we know the system, the strategy, and how to fight for what matters most to you. From day one, you get a legal team who protects your rights, cuts through the chaos, and builds a case with precision and purpose. The result? Less stress, fewer surprises, and an outcome you couldn’t have secured on your own.
Does Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office offer consultations to discuss my situation?
Ready to talk? Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office offers consultations where you speak directly with an attorney — no runaround, no guesswork. Navigating a divorce, a custody battle, or a criminal charge is serious, and our Sioux Falls attorneys are here to cut through the noise: reviewing your situation, laying out your options, and mapping a strategy built around you. Think of it as your first move — a no-pressure conversation that gives you clarity, confidence, and a clear path forward before you commit to anything.
How well does Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office know local courts?
Three decades in. That’s how long Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office has been showing up — and delivering — in Sioux Falls courtrooms. Our attorneys don’t just know the law; they know the room.
From how judges approach custody arrangements and support calculations to the way criminal sentencing unfolds in this jurisdiction, we’ve seen it all — and strategized through every bit of it.
Choosing a criminal and family attorney in Sioux Falls, SD means more than hiring legal expertise. It means gaining an insider edge. We know the procedural nuances, the tendencies, the local legal landscape — and we put every advantage to work for you.
Can you help if my divorce involves complex issues?
Actually Has Stakes?
Yes—and this is exactly where it matters most.
High-stakes divorce is rarely just about separation. It’s about custody arrangements built around your children’s future, asset division that holds up long-term, spousal support that reflects reality—and the legal strategy to protect all of it.
At LZK, our Sioux Falls family legal team doesn’t just process your case—we build your strategy. We dig into the financial and legal details, negotiate with precision, and show up ready to advocate in court when it counts.
The goal: a resolution that’s fair, forward-thinking, and firmly in your corner.
What happens if my child custody case becomes contested?
Contested custody cases can be particularly stressful and emotional. Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office works to prioritize the child’s best interests while ensuring that your parental rights are protected. A family attorney in Sioux Falls, SD will guide you through negotiations, mediations, and court proceedings with attention to detail and careful preparation. The firm helps parents understand the legal process and what evidence or documentation may strengthen their case, providing guidance and reassurance throughout.
Does the firm handle protection orders or adoption cases?
We Handle What Matters Most.
PROTECTION ORDERS
Your safety is not negotiable — and neither is our approach.
When you need a protection order, time and precision matter. We move quickly and methodically — cutting through the legal complexity so that the barrier between you and harm is solid, enforceable, and built to last.
WHAT WE DO
We handle emergency protective orders, temporary restraining orders, and long-term protection petitions for domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and related situations. Every filing is strategically prepared to meet South Dakota's legal standards without delay.
WHY IT MATTERS
A poorly executed protection order can be challenged, dismissed, or ignored. We make sure yours isn't. From the initial filing to court hearings, we stay in your corner — precise, prepared, and relentless.
ADOPTION
Every family looks different. We help make yours official.
Adoption is one of the most meaningful legal processes there is — and one of the most detailed. We guide families through every step with clarity and care, so the only thing you have to focus on is the moment it becomes real.
WHAT WE HANDLE
From stepparent and relative adoptions to agency placements and private adoptions, we manage the paperwork, court filings, home study coordination, and finalization hearings. No step gets skipped. No detail gets missed
OUR COMMITMENT
We know this process is deeply personal. Our job is to make the legal side seamless — so your family's story can move forward without unnecessary delays or confusion. Experienced. Attentive. Ready.
How will communication work throughout my case?
At Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office, clear and consistent communication isn’t an afterthought — it’s a cornerstone of how we work. From the moment you become a client, you can expect to be kept fully informed at every stage of your case.
We believe that navigating the legal system should never feel like guesswork. Whether your matter involves criminal defense or family law, we keep you up to date on case progress, upcoming court dates, and critical decisions — explained in plain language, not legal jargon.
Working with our Sioux Falls team means you’ll always know where things stand and what comes next. Our goal is to reduce uncertainty so you can approach your case with clarity and confidence — because an informed client is an empowered client.
What You Can Expect
- Proactive updates on your case status — you won’t have to chase us for information.
- Advance notice of court dates, deadlines, and required actions so you’re never caught off guard.
- Clear explanations of your options when key decisions need to be made, so you can choose the path that’s right for you.
- Accessible, responsive counsel throughout the life of your case — from initial consultation to resolution.
What should I bring to my first consultation?
Bringing all relevant documents to your first meeting allows the attorney to understand your situation fully. This might include court filings, financial statements, custody agreements, or notes related to your case. Working with a criminal and family attorney in Sioux Falls, SD is most effective when the attorney has a complete view of your circumstances from the start, which helps create a tailored strategy for your legal needs.
How do I get started with Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office?
Ready to Get Started?
Your path to clarity and confident legal representation begins here. Getting started with Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office is straightforward. Simply call our office or submit a contact form to schedule your initial consultation — and from that first conversation, you’re no longer navigating the legal system alone.
As your criminal and family law attorneys in Sioux Falls, SD, we bring structure and strategy to your case from day one. We’ll walk you through your options, build a plan tailored to your situation, and stand by your side through every stage of the process — so you can move forward with confidence, not uncertainty.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
Call our office or complete the contact form to schedule your consultation today.
Your Fight. Our Obsession.
WHEN IT MATTERS MOST — WE SHOW UP.
Divorce. Custody battles. Criminal charges. These aren’t just legal problems — they’re defining moments in your life. At Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool, we don’t treat them like paperwork. We treat them like what they are: the moments where the right attorney makes all the difference.
Whether you’re navigating a high-conflict divorce, fighting for custody, pursuing an adoption, or facing a DUI charge, our team brings strategic precision and relentless advocacy to every case. We listen hard, communicate clearly, and build a plan designed around one goal: the best possible outcome for you and your family.
“Working with a Sioux Falls family and criminal attorney shouldn’t feel overwhelming — it should feel like finally having someone in your corner.”
We take time with your case because the details matter. Every question gets answered. Every option gets explained. You’ll never feel left in the dark — and you’ll never feel like just another file on the desk.
DON’T WAIT. ACT NOW.
Every day you wait is a day the other side is getting ready. Call our office or complete our contact form today to schedule your consultation. Your rights, your family, and your future deserve capable, relentless representation — starting right now. Schedule your consultation → lockwoodlaw.com/about



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