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...
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...
Can I get child support if the other parent lives in Canada?
In general, yes, child support may still be possible even if the other parent lives in Canada. The fact that a parent is in another country does not automatically end the obligation to support a child. For Wyoming famili...
Can child support be taken from disability benefits?
In general, child support may sometimes be taken from disability benefits, but the answer depends on the type of disability benefit and the facts of the case. In Utah, as in many states, the key issue is often whether th...
Do I have to split rental property that I owned before marriage?
In general, rental property that you owned before marriage may start out as separate property in an Oregon divorce. That means the property itself is not always split just because you are getting divorced. But the answer...
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...
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...
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...
Is it legal for a prenup to say one spouse gets a lump sum after five years of marriage?
In Arkansas, a prenuptial agreement can often include a clause that gives one spouse a lump-sum payment after a certain length of marriage, such as five years, but whether that term is enforceable usually depends on the...
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...
What happens if my security camera records audio of guests talking inside my living room?
In California, a security camera that records audio inside your living room can raise significant privacy issues, even if the camera was installed for home security. Whether the recording is lawful usually depends on the...
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...
Can I get divorced if my spouse is in the military and deployed overseas?
Yes, in general, you may still be able to file for divorce in Wyoming even if your spouse is in the military and deployed overseas. A deployment does not automatically stop a divorce, but it can affect how the case moves...
Is it legal for officers to question me after I said I do not want to talk?
In general, officers may still ask questions after you say you do not want to talk, but that does not always mean you must answer. Under U.S. constitutional law, the key issue is often whether you were in custody and whe...
How do I handle divorce if we own property in two different states?
If you and your spouse own property in two different states, the divorce usually becomes a little more complicated, but it is still a common issue. In general, the divorce court in your case may be able to divide marital...