Building Families, Bridging Differences: A Family Law Journey

Building Families, Bridging Differences: A Family Law Journey

”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.

Episodes

June 25, 2026 20 mins

Episode Summary:  In this episode of Building Families, Bridging Differences, host Sean O'Connor is joined by Shelly Cooley, a certified family law specialist and founder of the Cooley Law Firm in Las Vegas. Shelly provides an in-depth look at the legal processes involved in changing a name or updating a gender marker in Nevada. She explains the straightforward state procedures, the necessary paperwork, and the federal overlap...

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Episode Summary:  in this episode of Building Families, Bridging Differences, host Sean O'Connor is joined by Shelly Cooley, a certified family-law specialist and founder of the Cooley Law Firm in Las Vegas. Shelly delves into the intricacies of domestic partnerships in Nevada, explaining their formation, the rights they confer, and the process for dissolution. She highlights the similarities and differences between domestic p...

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Episode Summary:  In this episode, Shelly Cooley, a certified family law specialist, explains the critical differences between legal and physical custody in Nevada. She delves into the implications of joint versus sole custody arrangements and how these decisions impact children and parents in the long run, offering valuable insights for families navigating custody issues.

Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 01:12 &ndas...

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Episode Summary:  In this episode, family law specialist Shelly Cooley discusses the importance of parenting plans in Nevada, focusing on creating schedules that support children's well-being. From day-to-day schedules to decision-making authority and communication guidelines, Shelly provides valuable insights for parents navigating custody arrangements, offering practical advice for ensuring stability and balance in shared cu...

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of *Building Families, Bridging Differences*, attorney Shelly Cooley delves into the intricacies of alimony and spousal support in Nevada. Explaining the nuances of these terms, she discusses their purpose, considerations, and factors influencing court decisions. From temporary to permanent support, Shelly provides valuable insights for individuals navigating divorce and seeking financial stability ...

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Episode Summary: In this episode of *Building Families, Bridging Differences: A Family Law Journey* Shelly Booth-Cooley sheds light on how community property functions in Nevada divorce cases. Highlighting the nuances of community property laws, Shelly provides valuable insights into asset division, separate property, debts, retirement accounts, and business valuation during divorce proceedings.

Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Introd...

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In this episode, certified family law specialist Shelly Booth-Cooley discusses the importance of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements in today's marriages. She explains the key differences between the two types of agreements, the issues they address, and why couples should consider them. Shelly emphasizes the need for open communication and planning to ensure a healthy and transparent financial future for bo...

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of *Building Families Bridging Differences*, family law expert Shelly Booth-Cooley delves into the complexities of child relocation laws in Nevada. From legal requirements to factors considered by the court, listeners gain valuable insights into the challenges and considerations involved in relocation decisions, offering clarity for families facing this critical issue.

Key Timestamps:

00:00 – ...

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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 right...

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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 agreem...

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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...

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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 ass...

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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 LGB...

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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 c...

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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...

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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 Timesta...

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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 an...

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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 comp...

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