Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters
Browse published legal information questions related to Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters.
Do I have to split a personal injury settlement in divorce?
In Oregon, a personal injury settlement may or may not be split in divorce, depending on what the settlement is meant to replace and how the money is characterized under Oregon property rules. In general, divorce courts...
Can I Break My Lease If My Neighbor Keeps Threatening Me?
In general, maybe—but it depends on the facts, your lease, and what steps you take to document and report the problem. In Colorado, a tenant who is being threatened by a neighbor may have options beyond simply moving out...
How do I get child support started if the other parent refuses to provide an address?
In Minnesota, it is often still possible to start a child support case even if the other parent will not give you an address. In general, the child support process does not depend on getting the other parent’s cooperatio...
Can I get divorced if my spouse disappeared years ago?
Yes, in New Jersey, you may still be able to get divorced even if your spouse disappeared years ago. A missing spouse does not always prevent a divorce. In many situations, courts allow a case to move forward if you can...
What happens if I miss the hearing for my antiharassment protection order?
If you miss the hearing for your anti-harassment protection order in Washington, the court may still go forward without you. In general, that means the judge can hear from the other side and make a decision based on the...
What happens if child support was ordered in one state but we both moved away?
When child support was ordered in one state and both parents later move away, the original order usually does not disappear just because everyone has relocated. In general, a child support order remains valid until it is...
Can a divorce court divide stock options that have not vested yet?
In general, a divorce court may be able to address stock options that have not vested yet, but the answer usually depends on how the options were earned, when they were granted, and what purpose they were meant to serve....
Is it legal for my spouse to move money from a joint account into a separate account before divorce?
In Florida, a spouse moving money from a joint account into a separate account before divorce is not automatically illegal. In many families, both spouses may have access to a joint account, and either spouse may technic...
What are my rights if my spouse has been financially supporting their new partner with marital money?
In Illinois, if a spouse may be using marital money to support a new partner, that conduct can matter in a divorce or other family-law case. In general, money earned during the marriage is often treated as marital proper...
What are my rights if my spouse transferred $30,000 to a relative right before filing for divorce?
In Washington, a transfer of money to a relative shortly before a divorce filing may raise questions about whether the money was marital property, separate property, or an attempt to move assets out of reach before the c...
Do I have to pay child support if we share custody exactly 50/50?
In South Carolina, sharing custody exactly 50/50 does not automatically mean that neither parent pays child support. Child support is usually based on more than just the number of overnights each parent has. Courts typic...
Can a prenup decide who pays attorney fees if we divorce?
In general, a prenuptial agreement may address how attorney fees are handled if the marriage ends in divorce. That said, whether a particular clause will be enforced can depend on the wording of the agreement, the circum...
Is it legal for a spouse to claim separate property became marital because both names were added?
In Kentucky, it is possible for a spouse to argue that property once treated as separate became marital after both spouses’ names were added. But that does not automatically mean the claim will succeed. The legal effect...
Do I have to pay filing fees for a harassment protection order in Washington?
In Washington, the filing fee question for a harassment protection order often depends on the type of order, the court handling the request, and the facts of the situation. In general, people looking for a harassment pro...
What happens if one spouse wastes marital assets on gambling before separation?
In Wisconsin, gambling losses or other spending that reduces marital assets before separation may matter in a divorce, but the legal effect depends on the facts. Courts generally look at whether the spending was ordinary...