Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters
Browse published legal information questions related to Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Is it legal for Arkansas to intercept my stimulus or tax refund for old support debt?
In general, yes. In Arkansas, the state may be able to intercept a tax refund, and in some situations a stimulus payment, to help collect past-due support debt. That usually means overdue child support, and in some cases...
What are my rights if my spouse has been financially supporting their new partner with marital money?
In Illinois, if a spouse may be using marital money to support a new partner, that conduct can matter in a divorce or other family-law case. In general, money earned during the marriage is often treated as marital proper...