Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters
Browse published legal information questions related to Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters.
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 my spouse to change beneficiaries before property division is final?
In South Dakota, the answer often depends on what asset is involved, what the account or policy documents say, and whether a court order or temporary divorce order limits changes. In many situations, a spouse may still h...
What happens if my spouse is served divorce papers but never responds?
In Delaware, if a spouse is properly served with divorce papers and does not respond, the case may still continue without that spouse actively participating. In many situations, the filing spouse may ask the court to mov...
What are my rights if my spouse hid cryptocurrency before we signed the prenup?
In Washington, a prenuptial agreement may be challenged or limited if one spouse hid important financial information before the agreement was signed. If cryptocurrency existed before the prenup and was not disclosed, tha...
What happens if my ex has not paid child support in three months and owes about $2,700?
In Texas, falling behind on child support for three months and owing about $2,700 may trigger enforcement action, but the exact response depends on the facts and the court record. Child support is usually treated as a se...
What are my rights if my spouse gave away marital property to relatives before filing?
If you are in Oklahoma and your spouse gave away marital property to relatives before filing for divorce, you may have rights under the state’s general property-division rules. In many divorce cases, a court can look at...
How do I present text messages to the judge at a harassment protection order hearing?
In a Washington harassment protection order hearing, text messages may be useful evidence if they help show the conduct at issue. In general, a judge is more likely to consider messages that are organized, readable, and...
What happens if I overpaid child support for a year because the order was never updated?
In Colorado, if you paid more child support than the current order required because the order was never updated, the overpayment issue usually turns on what the existing order said, whether a later change should have bee...
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...
Do I have to wait 30 days before an Alabama divorce can be finalized?
In Alabama, there is generally a 30-day waiting period before a divorce can be finalized, but that does not always mean every case takes exactly 30 days. In many situations, the court may not enter a final divorce judgme...
Can alimony be changed if my ex got a $20,000 raise after the divorce?
In Missouri, alimony may sometimes be changed after a divorce if there has been a substantial and continuing change in financial circumstances. A post-divorce raise can be one factor that a court may consider, but a rais...
What are my rights if my ex is asking for more alimony after I already retired?
In Kansas, a request to increase alimony after your retirement usually depends on whether a court sees a material change in circumstances and whether the original support order allows modification. Retirement can sometim...
Is a Dog Considered Abandoned Property After 3 Months?
In Colorado, a dog is generally not treated the same way as ordinary lost property, and whether it is considered “abandoned” after three months usually depends on the facts and the legal setting. The answer may turn on w...
Can I request back child support if the father was not listed on the birth certificate?
In Virginia, the fact that a father was not listed on the birth certificate does not necessarily prevent a child support claim. In general, child support depends on legal parentage, not only on what appears on a birth ce...
Can I ask the court to order my spouse to return personal items and family photos?
In Utah, you can usually ask a court to help with the return of personal items and family photos, but what the court can do depends on the type of case, the facts, and whether the items are treated as marital property, s...