Family Law

• Divorce
• Child Custody and Visitation
  Family law is the very broad term used to describe the areas of law that encompass family-related matters and issues relating to domestic relations. This may be civil in nature, such as marriage and premarital agreements, divorce, and child custody, or it may be criminal in nature, as in the case of child abuse/neglect/abduction, guardian ad litem (when the court of jurisdiction appoints an attorney to represent the sole interests of a juvenile), or juvenile delinquency. Because of the dual nature (civil and criminal) of family law, it is important that the attorney representing your interests be well-versed in family law matters that are both civil and criminal. Further, mediation has become a commonly used resource in family law matters. As a Certified Mediator, Shannon Simms has the experience and expertise to assist parties in resolving family law matters without leaving it up to the decision of a judge.
• Adoption
  International re-adoption is essentially the review of your international adoption by an Iowa court. Following the re-adoption process, you can obtain a state-issued certificate of foreign birth for your child, which helps ensure that your adoption is never questioned or challenged in a U.S. court.
• Premarital Agreement
• Guardianship
  Perhaps you’re finding the challenges of parenting too much at this time — but you don’t want to permanently terminate your parental rights. You may choose a temporary guardianship. This process allows you to transfer custody of your child to a trusted guardian (like a friend or family member), who will care for him or her while you improve your personal situation. After a certain amount of time, the guardianship can end, and you can take back the custody of your child when you are ready to recommit to parenting.
• Child Abuse
  Background Checks and Clearances: Records checks will be performed for each adult in your home to determine whether they have prior founded child abuse reports or criminal convictions. It is often recommended that you begin this process early on, as it can take some time for your paperwork to be processed by the state and reviewed by your home study professional.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  The two attorneys and eight staff at Nelson Law Firm, PLLC have a passion for providing impeccable client service in their areas of practice. Nelson Law Firm is a general practice firm that includes but is not limited to adoption law (domestic and interstate), business law, creditor’s rights law (including subrogation, retail and commercial collections, residential and commercial foreclosure, and bankruptcy litigation), corporate law, real estate, and estate planning. Our attorneys have demonstrated personal and academic excellence, along with integrity and motivation, to be outstanding members of both the firm and of the greater Cedar Valley community. Our firm takes pride in having developed long term relationships with many of our clients by exceeding expectations and consistently providing high quality legal counsel.
• Business Disputes
  If you are looking to start a business or modify your existing business, Nelson Law Firm can provide the guidance and expertise required. Our attorneys are knowledgeable as to the appropriate entity to suit your needs, the documentation necessary to establish your business, and keep you up to date with reporting requirements and any changes your business may need over the years. An experienced compliance attorney can navigate you through the ever-changing laws, giving you more time to devote to your business and providing a sense of security that your company is in full compliance with all of the pertinent local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations. All of the attorneys at Nelson Law Firm are members of their local and state bar associations and stay up-to-date on all applicable state and federal rulings and case precedents within business law to best serve their clients. Nelson Law Firm represents small local businesses, large statewide businesses and every size in-between.

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  Real estate law encompasses everything from a purchase agreement, contract, title opinion, liens, deeds, boundary and zoning disputes, landlord and tenant disputes, homeowner rights and responsibilities, land use issues, property sale issues, disclosure and contract-related matters, property tax assessment, and more. Shannon Simms is a member of the Real Estate Committee for the Black Hawk County Bar Association and are well-versed in real estate laws pertinent to the state of Iowa.
• Land Use and Zoning
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  When you are injured due to negligence or the result of intentional infliction of injury by an individual or business, you are entitled to bring your case before a court of law to obtain damages that offset those injuries. Because laws and statutes of limitations vary based on location and injury-type, finding knowledgeable counsel is essential to obtaining a favorable settlement. The attorneys at Nelson Law Firm have a combined 40 years of experience in dealing with civil issues such as personal injury lawsuits.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  The two attorneys and eight staff at Nelson Law Firm, PLLC have a passion for providing impeccable client service in their areas of practice. Nelson Law Firm is a general practice firm that includes but is not limited to adoption law (domestic and interstate), business law, creditor’s rights law (including subrogation, retail and commercial collections, residential and commercial foreclosure, and bankruptcy litigation), corporate law, real estate, and estate planning.
• Wills
• Trusts
• Power of Attorney
  Most of the laws that govern what you can and cannot do with your personal property or estate in the event you become incapacitated or deceased vary greatly from state to state. Nelson Law Firm can assist you in planning for end of life, provide legal expertise in probating your estate and assist your loved ones in carrying out your wishes after death. Having an attorney with experience in this area of law is necessary to confirm that your wishes, whether they be during a time of incapacitation or at time of death, will be carried out in your will, trust, power of attorney, or other end of life planning documentation. Nelson Law Firm is dedicated to providing their clients with the tools they need to protect and disburse their assets according to their instructions.
• Probate

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  Nelson Law Firm specializes in knowing the rights and responsibilities of creditors and the obligations of debtors. That includes assisting your business in obtaining the revenue you are owed in a professional manner while pursuing the fullest remedies under the law. Our attorneys strictly adhere to the values of professional, ethical, and responsible debt collection for the clients they represent, including but not limited to the areas of subrogation, retail and commercial collections, residential and commercial foreclosure, medical debt collection, and bankruptcy litigation. Ken Nelson is a member of the National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys and the Commercial Law League of America, national trade associations dedicated to serving law firms representing clients in matters relating to legal debt collection.
• Foreclosure
• Debt Collection