Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters
Browse published legal information questions related to Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters.
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...
Can I get forgiveness if I am a firefighter employed by the city?
In general, the answer depends on what kind of “forgiveness” you mean. A city firefighter in West Virginia might be asking about debt forgiveness, disciplinary forgiveness, job reinstatement, benefits relief, or some oth...
What happens if my spouse refuses to turn over bank statements in divorce discovery?
In a Colorado divorce, refusing to turn over bank statements during discovery can create serious problems for the noncooperative spouse. Discovery is the part of the case where each side usually exchanges financial infor...
Is it legal for my spouse to move out with the children before custody orders are entered?
In Florida, a spouse may sometimes move out with the children before any custody order is entered, but that does not always mean the move is risk-free or that it is automatically okay in every situation. Before a court h...
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 remove me as beneficiary before the divorce is final?
In Kentucky, the answer often depends on the kind of beneficiary designation involved, the wording of the account or policy, and whether a court order already limits what either spouse can do during the divorce. In gener...
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...
Is it legal for the court to order child support before paternity testing is finished?
In general, a court may be able to address temporary child support before paternity testing is fully finished, but that usually depends on the facts, the court’s procedures, and whether paternity has been legally establi...
How do I divide tax debt from a joint return in divorce?
In general, a debt tied to a joint tax return does not automatically disappear because spouses divorce. A joint return can create joint federal tax responsibility, which means the IRS may look to either spouse for the fu...
Do I have to delete a recording if I later realize I did not get proper consent?
In Florida, the answer depends on what was recorded, how the recording was made, and what “proper consent” means in the specific situation. In general, Florida is a state where recording private communications can raise...
How do I handle child support when one child lives with me and one lives with the other parent?
When each parent has one child living with them, people often call that a split-custody or divided-custody situation. In general, child support in Georgia may still be ordered even when parenting time is shared in this w...
Do I have to attend mediation before a divorce trial in Alabama?
In Alabama, you may have to attend mediation before a divorce trial, but it depends on the court, the judge, and the facts of the case. Mediation is a process where the spouses try to reach agreement with the help of a n...
Can I get a divorce while pregnant?
In Wyoming, you can usually file for divorce while pregnant, but pregnancy can complicate the process. Courts often want to know how issues involving the unborn child will be handled, especially paternity, custody, child...
How do I handle divorce when we have frozen embryos from fertility treatment?
When a couple divorces and has frozen embryos from fertility treatment, the legal questions can be different from the usual property or custody issues. In general, courts look first for any signed agreement about what sh...
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...