News & Resources

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 3 certified mediators at Simpson Legal Group, LLC.  Shannon Simpson received her certificate for Basic Mediation and Family Mediation from Nebraska Mediation Association.   Ryan Muldoon and Jailey Simpson received their 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 […]

            The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the financial health of millions of Iowans.  Unfortunately, the struggling economy resulted in monumental job layoffs, terminations, and furloughs.  A historical number of Iowans have filed for unemployment benefits.  The collateral effect of the depressed economy is that debtors and borrowers may experience difficulty making regular loan payments on their mortgage, car, and other monthly expenses.            In order to combat this anticipated issue, Governor Reynolds […]

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 […]

Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, most Americans are eligible for a one-time stimulus check (also called Economic Impact Payment) of up to $1,200, with married couples getting up to $2,400. Families will get an additional $500 per child.  We previously discussed the individual payments in Part 1 of our Series.  So what about the child’s portion of the stimulus payment? How does your divorce affect that payment?  The new law […]

Part 1:  Covid-19, Your Divorce & Your Individual Stimulus Payment  The Federal Government has now started sending Stimulus payments to help taxpayers during these unprecedented times.  How this may affect your divorce may depend on where you are currently in your divorce proceeding.  Three areas that couples should be aware of are: (1) couples who are now divorced and filed individual returns, (2) couples who have completed their divorce proceeding but a ruling has not […]

Online Mandatory Parenting Classes Offered during COVID-19 A new Supervisory Order was entered April 2, 2020, allowing the District Courts of the State of Iowa to approve attendance at online parenting courses in compliance with the Iowa laws mandating completion of a parenting course for cases involving child custody or visitation. Several District Court Chief Judges have issued Orders permitting parties to utilize online parenting classes in order to comply with the statutory requirement. These […]

CHILD CUSTODY, CARE OR VISITATION DURING COVID-19 Many people have asked questions regarding how to handle the child related provisions of their previously filed Court Order regarding custody, care and visitation during the current COVID-19 situation. On Saturday, March 28, 2020, the Iowa Supreme Court issued a Supervisory Order regarding this matter. The Iowa Supreme Court has stated that prior orders regarding custody, visitation or care schedules that are related to school/summer schedules shall be […]