Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters
Browse published legal information questions related to Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters.
How do I divide equity in a home when one spouse paid the down payment before marriage?
In New Mexico, the answer usually depends on how the home was titled, when it was purchased, whether marital funds were used after the wedding, and whether the premarital down payment can be traced. A spouse who paid the...
Is it legal for a landlord to ban guests from staying overnight?
In general, a landlord may be able to limit or regulate overnight guests through the lease, house rules, or occupancy policies, but a complete ban is not always treated the same way in every situation. In North Dakota, t...
Is it legal for someone to repeatedly call my phone from blocked numbers after I asked them to stop?
In Washington, repeated calls from blocked numbers after you asked the caller to stop may be unlawful depending on the facts, the caller’s purpose, and whether the conduct rises to harassment, stalking, threats, or anoth...
What happens if someone records a confidential conversation and posts a clip online?
In California, recording a confidential conversation and then posting a clip online can raise serious legal issues, but what happens depends heavily on the facts. The main questions usually are whether the conversation w...
Husband Owns the Car and Controls Finances—What Rights Do I Have During Separation?
In Oregon, your rights during a separation usually depend on the overall financial picture, not just whose name is on the car title or who manages the bank accounts. If you are married and living separately, the law gene...
Is it legal for my spouse to hide a vehicle at a friend’s house during divorce?
In Indiana, a spouse generally should not secretly move, hide, or transfer marital property in a way that interferes with the divorce process. A vehicle is often one of the assets a court may need to identify, value, and...
What happens if my spouse says they will quit their job to avoid support?
In Colorado, a spouse generally cannot control a support case simply by saying they will quit their job. If a court is asked to decide support, it usually looks at the parties’ actual financial circumstances, not just a...
Is it legal for a spouse to file for divorce just to stop an immigration sponsorship?
In general, a spouse may be able to file for divorce even if the timing affects an immigration sponsorship, because divorce is usually a state-law family-law matter. But that does not mean a person can use divorce as a t...
Is it legal for my spouse to take my name off a joint bank account?
In general, it may be possible for a spouse to remove your name from a joint bank account, but the answer depends on how the account is titled, the bank’s own rules, and whether both account holders are required to make...
Can I Transfer a Vehicle Into My Name Only Without Refinancing?
In California, it may be possible to put a vehicle title in your name only without refinancing, but it depends on whether there is an existing loan, who is listed on the title, and what the lender allows. Title transfer...
What are my rights if child support was calculated using the wrong number of overnights?
If child support was calculated using the wrong number of overnights, you may have the right to ask for a correction. In general, overnight time is one of the facts that can affect child support calculations because many...
My Ex Used My Credit Card After We Split — Is It Theft or a Civil Dispute?
In North Carolina, an ex using your credit card after a breakup can sometimes raise both criminal and civil issues, but it does not automatically mean theft. The answer usually depends on whether your ex was authorized t...
My Ex Won’t Remove My Name From a Joint Phone Plan — What Can I Do?
If your name is still on a joint phone plan after a breakup, the main issue is usually that the account holder and the phone carrier still see you as financially responsible for the account. In general, a joint plan can...
What happens if I was ordered to pay support based on a job I no longer have?
If your child support or spousal support order was based on income from a job you no longer have, the order usually does not change automatically. In general, the existing order stays in place until it is modified by the...
How do I ask a judge to exclude a recording that was made without my consent?
In California, asking a judge to exclude a recording usually means asking the court not to admit it as evidence. That request is often made through a motion or objection, depending on the stage of the case and the type o...