News & Resources

Determining how to discuss your pending divorce with your children can be one of the most important decisions that will have the most prolonged impact on your children. A poorly managed divorce can result in an extensive and damaging process for all parties, especially children. Disruptions in a child’s life due to divorce can result in long-term issues and schisms in the family, highlighting the importance of carefully managing a divorce when children are involved.  […]

Common law marriage is a term that is used relatively often; however, how it is applied within the context of disputes like separation or child custody agreements is often difficult to determine. Under the Iowa Administrative Code Ch. 73, common law marriage is defined as “a social relationship between a man and a woman that meets all the necessary requisite of a marriage,” excepting that is was not “solemnized, performed or witnessed by an official […]

If you are approaching the divorce process, or have already begun, one of the main questions on your mind may be, how long will it all take? While it would be great if we could offer you a clear-cut, one-size-fits-all answer, that is impossible as the answer is: it depends. Some divorces proceed in line with the norm. After meeting state eligibility and other requirements and filling, it has a mandatory 90-day waiting period before […]

Mental health can be an important deciding factor in many areas when it comes to family cases like divorce, financial support, or child custody. For example, substance abuse disorders, anxiety, or depression might impact one spouse’s ability to care for a child or could impact their capacity to provide financial support for themselves. While your family law attorney is not a mental health specialist, they do know how mental health issues might legally impact your […]

Making the choice to end a divorce can bring about several different emotions and behaviors. Marriages do not typically break down overnight. Depending on whether you are the initiator of the divorce or the one receiving the news, it is likely that each person will feel different emotions at different stages of the process. Understanding the following emotional stages can help parties and reach their own level of personal healing. Disillusionment of One Party. At […]

Virtual Mediation: Things to (do) for a successful virtual mediation. by Jailey Simpson Do choose a mediator with online mediation training. In addition to Comprehensive Divorce and Family Mediation Training, our mediators at Simpson Legal Group, LLC, have also completed Online Zoom Mediation Training. This additional training ensures that your virtual mediation is conducted by a mediator that is experienced and comfortable with the platform in which he/she will conduct your virtual mediation.   Do […]

Why Mediation Instead of Litigation? by Ryan Muldoon           Legal disputes involving the court system can potentially lead to financial ruin for individuals or businesses.  Lawsuits are time-consuming endeavors that can also take a toll on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical health.  Mediation is an alternative method of dispute resolution where a trained third-party neutral, more commonly referred to as a mediator, helps guide the parties to a resolution.              Here are five […]

What is Virtual Mediation? by Shannon Simpson Mediation is a tool used by two or more people who present their unique set of legal circumstances to a neutral third party known as mediator.  The mediator’s job is to attempt to contain emotions and reduce conflict to assist the parties in reaching a mutually amicable resolution to their dispute. The trained mediator can help facilitate communication and problem solving techniques that can form the basis for a […]

We are proud to announce we have 2 certified mediators at Simpson Legal Group, LLC.  Shannon Simpson received her certificate for Basic Mediation and Family Mediation from Nebraska Mediation Association.   Jailey Simpson received her certificate for Comprehensive Divorce & Family Mediation from Crilley Mediation Services. If you are  interested in learning more about the virtual mediation process, and how it can assist in moving your litigation forward in these unprecedented times when court access is limited, […]

The question has come up in recent weeks, “If I am behind on my child support will I get my stimulus check?”  The answer is clear that, depending on the amount you owe in back child support, you may either receive a reduced stimulus check or potentially no check at all.  The CARES Act, which authorized the payment of the stimulus checks, did not suspend collection of delinquent child support payments as it did with […]