Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters
Browse published legal information questions related to Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters.
How do I split tax debt from a joint return in divorce?
In general, tax debt from a joint return is treated as a financial issue that must be addressed during the divorce, but a divorce decree does not automatically change how the tax debt is owed to the IRS or, if applicable...
Do I have to split my retirement account if most of it was earned before marriage?
In Oregon, the answer is often: not necessarily, but maybe in part. Retirement accounts are commonly divided in divorce based on what portion was accumulated during the marriage versus what portion was accumulated before...
What are my rights if my apartment elevator has been broken for a month and I live on the sixth floor?
If you live in Oregon and your apartment elevator has been broken for a month, you may have tenant rights if the problem makes the building unsafe, significantly interferes with your use of the home, or suggests the land...
What are my rights if my spouse threatens to report me to immigration during divorce?
If a spouse threatens to report you to immigration during a divorce, that can be frightening and stressful. In general, a threat like that does not automatically change your legal rights in the divorce itself. Property d...
Can I get alimony if we separated after 22 years but never legally divorced?
In Utah, the answer is usually not simple. In general, alimony is a support order that comes up in a divorce case, not just because spouses have been separated for a long time. If you are still legally married, the fact...
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...
How do I handle equitable distribution when we own property in two states?
When spouses own property in two states, equitable distribution can become more complicated because the divorce court may need to identify, value, and divide assets that are located outside Vermont as well as assets loca...
Is it legal for my spouse to cash out stocks before the divorce hearing?
In Indiana, a spouse may be able to sell or cash out stocks before a divorce hearing, but that does not always mean the move is automatically allowed or harmless in the divorce case. In general, once a divorce is filed,...
Can My Employer Deny Sick Leave Because I Didn’t Find Coverage?
In Oregon, an employer usually cannot require you to find someone to cover your shift before allowing protected sick leave, but the answer can depend on the type of leave involved and the employer’s policies. If the abse...
Can I sue if a dog bit my child at daycare?
Yes, a lawsuit may be possible in some situations, but the answer depends on the facts and on Wyoming law. In general, a dog bite claim after an incident at daycare may involve more than one possible legal theory, includ...
Can I record a conversation if the other person is threatening to sue me?
In California, the answer is often no unless you follow California’s recording-consent rules. California is generally treated as a two-party consent state, which means recording a confidential conversation usually requir...
What happens if someone violates a restraining order issued by an Alabama court?
If someone violates a restraining order issued by an Alabama court, the person who sought the order may be able to ask the court to enforce it. In general, a violation can lead to serious court consequences, and the resp...
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...
Can a prenuptial agreement protect me from my fiancé’s credit card debt?
In general, a prenuptial agreement may help set expectations about debts before marriage, but it does not automatically stop a creditor from trying to collect a debt that already exists or was incurred in ways the law tr...
Can I file for divorce without hiring a lawyer if we agree on everything?
Yes, in Utah, some people are able to file for divorce without hiring a lawyer, especially when both spouses agree on the major issues. That usually means agreement on property division, debts, child custody, child suppo...