News & Resources

The holidays can be a stressful time. Shopping, planning or attending events and parties, school functions, and end-of-the-year obligations can quickly become overwhelming. For co-parents, the holidays can also mean difficult emotions and financial challenges. Co-parenting can be difficult at the best of times but can suddenly feel impossible as we head into the holidays. The important thing to remember is how you co-parent can affect your child during this time.  At Simpson Legal Group, […]

Early in 2023, the Students First Act (SFA) became law. By 2025, SFA will give parents up to $7,598 per year for each child should they enroll them in a private school. SFA will allow parents to send their kids to a school they hadn’t considered. For divorced parents or those who share custody of their children, this new law may spark some disputes about where their children should go to school and who should […]

One of the most difficult elements of many divorces is determining how assets should be divided among the spouses. Iowa is an “equitable distribution” state. This means that the court will try to divide the marital assets between the spouses fairly and equitably. This contrasts “community property” states, where marital property is divided on a 50/50 basis or as closely as possible. There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. Still, you should know that […]

Some divorces that involve children result in shared custody, based upon the recognition that children deserve meaningful and substantial relationships with both parents. However, shared custody typically requires more interaction between the parents. With busy schedules, and the daily challenges of raising children, this can lead to friction between co-parents, especially when the divorce is less than amicable. If you are facing some challenges when it comes to co-parenting, an experienced child custody lawyer can […]

Property division can be one of the most contentious elements of a divorce. This is particularly the case when the spouses own a farm. In order to reach a fair settlement, it is critical that the farm and all of its assets be assigned the proper values. Protect yourself and your future by working with a divorce attorney who understands what makes these cases unique.  Valuation of the Real Property When considering farm assets, you […]

Farmers face unique challenges in the divorce process. One of these challenges is protecting your farm from being unfairly divided with your soon-to-be former spouse. Not only does your farm hold tremendous sentimental value, but it also carries significant economic value. If you are a farmer planning to divorce, protect your agricultural assets by working with a family law attorney who understands what is at stake.  The Farm Itself Iowa is an equitable distribution state, […]

In any divorce case, the potential tax implications regarding property division should be carefully considered. The tax consequences of a farm divorce can be even more complex due to the significant assets involved. Failure to consider and appropriately manage these implications before finalizing your divorce can result in significant tax penalties and future financial hardship. If you own a farm and are considering a divorce, only agree to any division of property once you have […]

Statistics indicate that gray divorces have been on the rise since 1990. Researchers now believe that more than one-third of couples getting divorced are over the age of 50. Whatever the reasons for this trend, many couples do not realize how this could impact their alimony award until it is too late. If you are over the age of 50 and are considering getting a divorce, you need an experienced family law attorney who can […]

In the state of Iowa, spousal support takes on one of the following four forms: traditional, rehabilitative, reimbursement, and transitional. The first is often reserved for couples where one spouse was a stay-at-home parent who may be unable to obtain gainful employment and requires long-term and potentially permanent support. Rehabilitative spousal support helps one spouse advance their education and training to obtain employment through short-term assistance. Reimbursement support is when one spouse reimburses the other […]

The process of going through a divorce is both time-consuming and often stressful because it will generally have long-term, even life-long implications. When going through the division of assets and liabilities, it is important to consider the role that taxes play. If you are going through a divorce, it is helpful to speak with a local Iowa divorce lawyer familiar with the role taxes will play in your divorce like those from Simpson Legal Group.  […]