Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters
Browse published legal information questions related to Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters.
What are my rights if my landlord served an eviction notice after I asked for a reasonable accommodation?
In general, if you live in Maryland and your landlord served an eviction notice after you asked for a reasonable accommodation, that timing may matter. A request for a reasonable accommodation is often protected under fa...
Do I have to separate for a certain number of months before filing for divorce in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, there is not always a strict waiting period that prevents a person from filing for divorce right away. In general, a spouse may be able to file before the parties have lived apart for any particular numb...
Do I have to serve the respondent myself in a Washington harassment protection order case?
In Washington, you usually do not have to serve the respondent yourself in a harassment protection order case. In general, service is the process of giving the other party formal notice of the case and the hearing, and i...
How do I divide credit card debt that my spouse ran up without telling me?
In Minnesota, credit card debt is usually divided as part of a divorce or legal separation based on the overall financial picture, not simply on whose name is on the account. If your spouse ran up debt without telling yo...
Is it legal for a prenup to include penalties for infidelity?
In Kentucky, a prenuptial agreement may be able to address infidelity in some way, but whether a specific “penalty” is enforceable depends on the exact wording, the circumstances, and how Kentucky law treats the rest of...
Is it legal for a prenup to waive rights to the marital home?
In general, a prenuptial agreement may be able to waive or limit a spouse’s rights in the marital home, but whether that provision is enforceable depends on the facts and on Hawaii law. The answer is usually not a simple...
How do I handle a divorce when one child wants to live with each parent?
When parents divorce and one child wants to live with each parent, the situation often involves both custody and parenting-time decisions. In general, Vermont courts focus on the best interests of each child, which means...
Do I have to split rental property purchased before marriage but paid from joint funds?
In Rhode Island, the answer is often: maybe, but not automatically. Property bought before marriage is commonly viewed differently from property acquired during marriage, but the way the property was paid for, maintained...
How do I ask the court to review child support after my ex got promoted?
In Massachusetts, a promotion may be one reason to ask the court to review child support, but the court usually looks at whether there has been a material change in circumstances and whether the current order still fits...
What happens if we bought a house before marriage but paid the mortgage with marital income?
In Michigan, a house bought before marriage is often treated as separate property at the start. But if marital income was used to pay the mortgage during the marriage, that does not always leave the property unchanged fo...
What are my rights if I was never served with the child support case paperwork?
If you were never properly served with child support case paperwork, you may have important due process concerns. In general, service of process is the formal way the court gives notice of a case and tells a person how t...
How do I change child support after switching from salary to commission income?
In New Mexico, a switch from salary to commission income may be a reason to ask the court to change child support, but it does not automatically change the order. Child support is usually based on income and other financ...
My Landlord Refuses to Add My Spouse to the Lease — Is That Allowed?
In New York, a landlord may often have some discretion about whether to change the named tenants on a lease, but that discretion is not unlimited. Whether a refusal is allowed usually depends on the lease terms, the land...
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...
Do I have to pay for health insurance on top of monthly child support in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, the answer is often: it depends on the wording of the child support order and the facts of your case. Monthly child support and health insurance are related, but they are not always the same obligation. A...