Building Families, Bridging Differences: A Family Law Journey

LGBTQ+ Family Formation: Legal Protection for Modern Families

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Attorney Shelly Cooley, Certified Family Law Specialist and founder of Cooley Law Firm, explains how LGBTQ+ families in Nevada can legally build and protect their families. She covers adoption, surrogacy, donor agreements, and how intent-based parentage ensures that every parent is fully recognized under the law. Shelly also shares tips for avoiding common legal pitfalls and securing parental rights with clarity and confidence.
Key Timestamps:
00:00 – Legal pathways for LGBTQ+ families in Nevada01:00 – How Nevada laws protect all families02:30 – Why formal legal documentation matters04:30 – Establishing parentage and protecting rights06:30 – Post-birth contact and agreements08:30 – How Nevada supports LGBTQ+ families uniquely10:00 – Differences in process and legal recognition12:00 – How to navigate family formation without being overwhelmed14:00 – Steps for securing parental rights and family stability
 
About the Show:
Building Families, Bridging Differences: A Family Law Journey explores the legal and emotional aspects of modern family law. Each episode features Attorney Shelly Cooley sharing actionable guidance, compassionate insights, and practical steps for building and protecting families through adoption, custody, and assisted reproduction.

Modifying Custody and Support Orders in Nevada

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Attorney Shelly Cooley, Certified Family Law Specialist and founder of Cooley Law Firm, explains how custody and support orders can be modified in Nevada. She breaks down what qualifies as a “change in circumstances,” how income changes affect child or spousal support, and the steps parents should take to request or enforce modifications. Shelly also shares key advice for keeping agreements enforceable and approaching the process with clarity and cooperation.
Key Timestamps:
00:00 – How custody and support orders can change over time01:00 – When and why courts allow modifications02:30 – Income changes and three-year reviews04:00 – What counts as a material change in circumstances05:00 – How courts decide what’s best for the child07:00 – The importance of communication and stability08:30 – How parents can modify orders through stipulations10:00 – Why vague or informal changes lead to conflict11:00 – What’s required for modifying support or alimony12:00 – How to handle parents who ignore modified orders13:00 – Steps to take before filing for modification
 
About the Show:
Building Families, Bridging Differences: A Family Law Journey helps listeners understand the legal and emotional sides of family law. Each episode features Attorney Shelly Cooley sharing practical insights and compassionate advice to help families navigate divorce, custody, and support issues with confidence.

When CPS Gets Involved: What Nevada Parents Should Know

Episode Summary:In this episode, Shelly Cooley breaks down what happens when Child Protective Services (CPS) gets involved in a case. She explains why CPS steps in, what parents should do if they’re contacted, and the difference between family court and dependency court. Shelly also shares one key piece of advice for parents to protect their rights and their children.
Key Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to CPS and its role01:00 – What triggers CPS involvement02:00 – What to do if you’re contacted by CPS03:10 – How CPS handles reports and investigations04:15 – Family court vs. dependency court explained05:30 – Shelly’s key advice for parents facing CPS issues
About the Show:Building Families, Bridging Differences explores the real-world challenges of family law with attorney Shelly Cooley, founder of The Cooley Law Firm in Las Vegas. Each episode offers straightforward legal insights to help families navigate sensitive issues like custody, divorce, adoption, and child welfare.

Donor Agreements 101: Protecting Everyone Involved

Episode Summary:In this episode, Shelly Cooley explains the legal importance of donor agreements in assisted reproduction cases. She discusses how these agreements protect all parties involved—the donors, intended parents, and most importantly, the future child. Shelly also shares practical insight into how Nevada law treats known and anonymous donors, what happens when someone changes their mind, and why working with an assisted reproduction law expert is essential.
 
Key Timestamps:00:00 – 02:30 What donor agreements are and why they’re vital in family building02:31 – 05:00 Legal risks of skipping donor agreements or using unenforceable templates05:01 – 07:30 Known vs. anonymous donors and how Nevada law treats them07:31 – 10:00 Handling family or friend donors and setting clear compensation terms10:01 – 12:30 Managing future contact and conversations with donor-conceived children12:31 – 14:50 Final advice on working with an assisted reproduction law expert
Show Description:Building Families, Bridging Differences explores the legal and emotional sides of family law with attorney Shelly Cooley, founder of The Cooley Law Firm in Las Vegas. Each episode helps families understand their rights and options through real insights and practical guidance.

Second-Parent and Stepparent Adoption in Nevada: Protecting Every Parent

Episode Summary:In this episode of Building Families, Bridging Differences, certified family law specialist Shelly Booth Cooley talks about second parent and step parent adoptions in Nevada. Shelly explains the vital importance of legally formalizing parent-child relationships, the families who benefit most, and the groundbreaking rewrite of Nevada’s adoption statutes she helped author. From confirming parental rights in LGBTQ families to protecting step parents raising children, Shelly breaks down the adoption process, its impact on custody, inheritance, and medical decisions, and why adoption is critical to safeguarding children and families.
Key Timestamps:00:01 – Show introduction01:05 – What are second parent and step parent adoptions?04:00 – Nevada’s adoption statute rewrite: modernizing and simplifying the law09:10 – Why legally formalizing the parent-child relationship is so important14:05 – Families who benefit most: step parents, same-sex couples, and blended families18:20 – The confirmatory adoption process explained22:15 – Rights and responsibilities adoptive parents gain after finalization25:40 – Custody, inheritance, and medical decision-making for adoptive parents28:30 – Attorney advice for non-legal parents raising children31:00 – Closing thoughts and where to get legal help in Nevada
About the Show:Building Families, Bridging Differences is a podcast hosted by certified family law specialist Shelly Booth Cooley. Each episode explores critical issues in family law with clarity and compassion — from custody and divorce to adoption and assisted reproduction. Shelly brings decades of experience and a passion for advocacy to help families protect what matters most.

How to Divorce When You Still Have to Live Together

Episode Summary:In this episode of Building Families, Bridging Differences, certified family law specialist Shelly Booth Cooley addresses a challenging but common situation: navigating divorce while still living under the same roof. Shelly explains Nevada’s divorce laws, why some couples choose to remain in the same household, and what boundaries or ground rules can make the process healthier. She also covers the impact on children, custody arrangements, shared expenses, and when it may be necessary to seek court intervention. With her compassionate and straightforward guidance, Shelly provides clarity for couples facing one of life’s most complex transitions.
Key Timestamps:
00:01 – Show introduction and welcome01:10 – Can couples in Nevada file for divorce while living together?02:05 – Reasons couples choose to stay in the same home during divorce03:00 – Emotional challenges and the importance of setting boundaries04:15 – Whether divorcing couples should use the same attorney06:20 – How living together impacts child custody and co-parenting08:05 – Should couples wait to file until one spouse moves out?09:30 – When a judge may grant exclusive possession of the home11:00 – Shared expenses and joint preliminary injunctions explained13:10 – Signs it may be time to stop living together despite financial challenges15:20 – Shelly’s advice for divorcing couples still sharing a home16:30 – Closing thoughts and call to action
About the Show:
Building Families, Bridging Differences is a family law podcast hosted by Shelly Cooley, founder of the Cooley Law Firm in Las Vegas. The show provides compassionate, practical guidance on divorce, custody, adoption, and assisted reproduction. With decades of experience, Shelly helps individuals and families navigate complex legal situations with clarity and confidence

The Surrogacy Path: Navigating the Journey Together

Episode Summary:
In this enlightening episode, Shelley Booth Cooley discusses the legal aspects of surrogacy and assisted reproduction. She shares insights about the surrogacy journey, essential contract elements, and the importance of working with specialized attorneys. The episode covers the complexities of state laws, the role of surrogacy agencies, and the beautiful relationships that can develop between surrogates and intended parents.
 
Key Timestamps:
00:06 - Introduction and episode overview
00:33 - Why Shelley chose to focus on surrogacy law
02:13 - The typical surrogacy journey explained
05:50 - Common challenges in surrogacy, including state law variations
07:56 - Legal protection for intended parents
09:47 - Essential elements of surrogacy agreements
12:59 - Psychological screening and emotional aspects
15:36 - When to involve a surrogacy attorney
 
About the Show:
"Building Families, Bridging Differences: A Family Law Journey" is a podcast that explores various aspects of family law with expert insights from Shelley Booth Cooley. The show aims to educate and inform listeners about complex legal matters in family building and law.

Divorce with Dignity: Fostering Amicable Separations

Episode Summary:
In this insightful episode, Shelly Cooley discusses the concept of amicable divorce and various approaches to divorce in Nevada. She introduces the Amicable Divorce Network, a unique organization that provides a structured, collaborative approach to divorce proceedings. The episode covers financial considerations, parenting plans, and strategies for maintaining peaceful relationships during separation.
 
Key Timestamps:
00:41 - Different types of divorce processes in Nevada
03:24 - Introduction to the Amicable Divorce Network and its benefits
05:28 - Distinction between mediation and amicable divorce
07:42 - Communication strategies during divorce
10:21 - Addressing financial concerns and asset division
12:58 - Creating effective parenting plans
15:23 - Advice for maintaining peaceful relationships post-divorce
 
About the Show:
"Building Families, Bridging Differences: A Family Law Journey" features conversations with legal experts about family law matters. The show provides valuable insights and practical advice for those navigating family law challenges.

Surrogacy & Donor Services: Navigating Legal Waters

Episode Summary:
In this informative episode, Shelly Beth Cooley, founder of the Cooley Law Firm, discusses the complex legal landscape of surrogacy and donor services. She provides crucial insights into state-specific regulations, parental rights, and essential contract considerations for intended parents pursuing surrogacy.
 
Key Timestamps:
00:24 - Introduction and initial legal considerations
01:57 - Geographic considerations and international implications
04:14 - Gestational vs. traditional surrogacy explained
07:10 - Protecting parental rights and state-specific procedures
10:32 - Legal contracts and representation requirements
11:52 - Essential contract elements and compensation terms
 
About the Show:
Building Families, Bridging Differences: A Family Law Journey features expert insights from Shelly Beth Cooley, helping listeners navigate complex family law matters. The show provides valuable information for those considering surrogacy, adoption, and other family-building options.

Contrasting Realities: Helping Clients from Divorce to Surrogacy

Episode Summary:
In this episode, host John Clements interviews Shelly Cooley, founder of the Cooley Law Firm, about her unique approach to family law. Shelly discusses her commitment to personalized service, her expertise in both family building and divorce cases, and Nevada's progressive family building laws. She shares insights from her background as a teacher and psychology major, explaining how these experiences shape her compassionate approach to family law.
 
Timestamps:
00:01 - Show Introduction
00:24 - What inspired the Cooley Law Firm
01:55 - Areas of specialization in family law
02:31 - Detailed explanation of family building services
03:37 - Nevada's favorable family building laws
05:49 - Shelly's background and transition to family law
07:39 - Navigating emotional landscapes with clients
09:40 - Addressing challenges in family law cases
12:51 - Approach to representing clients
 
About the Show:
"Building Families, Bridging Differences: A Family Law Journey" explores various aspects of family law with Shelly Booth Cooley, offering insights into both traditional family law matters and modern family building options. The show provides valuable information for anyone interested in family law, adoption, surrogacy, or divorce proceedings.