Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters
Browse published legal information questions related to Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters.
Is it legal for a former friend to keep posting my address online after I blocked them?
In Washington, repeatedly posting someone’s home address online after being blocked may raise legal concerns, but whether it is unlawful depends on the facts. In general, the law may treat this kind of conduct differentl...
How do I respond to an eviction notice when I am protected by a temporary restraining order against the other tenant?
If you are in Vermont and you receive an eviction notice while you are protected by a temporary restraining order (TRO) against another tenant, the first step is to look carefully at who is named in the notice, who is be...
Can I be evicted for keeping an emotional support animal after giving my landlord a doctor’s letter?
In Ohio, a landlord generally cannot evict you simply for having an emotional support animal if the animal is a legally recognized reasonable accommodation for a disability and you gave the landlord proper notice or docu...
Is it legal for a landlord to give an eviction notice because my child is too loud during the day?
In Florida, a landlord may be able to give an eviction notice if the child’s noise is tied to a lease violation, a nuisance, or repeated disturbances that affect other tenants or neighbors. But a notice is not the same t...
What happens if my ex agreed by text to lower child support but later demanded the full amount?
In Alaska, a text message agreement to lower child support may be important evidence, but it usually does not automatically replace a court child support order. In general, child support is treated as a court-controlled...
How do I modify alimony after my former spouse inherited $150,000?
In Vermont, an inheritance received by a former spouse may sometimes be relevant when asking a court to modify alimony, but it does not automatically change the existing order. The key question is usually whether the inh...
Do I have to keep paying alimony after I file for bankruptcy in Montana?
In general, filing for bankruptcy does not stop an alimony obligation. Alimony, also called spousal support or maintenance, is usually treated differently from many other debts because family-support obligations are give...
What happens if I was ordered to pay support based on a job I no longer have?
If your child support or spousal support order was based on income from a job you no longer have, the order usually does not change automatically. In general, the existing order stays in place until it is modified by the...
Do I have to pay alimony if the divorce agreement says it is nonmodifiable?
In Alabama, a divorce agreement that says alimony is “nonmodifiable” usually means the court and the parties may be limited in changing the amount, duration, or other agreed terms later. That said, the exact effect depen...
Is it legal for the court to impute income to me after I changed careers?
In general, yes — a court in Indiana may be allowed to impute income after a career change if the court believes your current income does not reflect what you are reasonably able to earn. This usually comes up in family...
Can I stop paying alimony if my ex is cohabiting but not remarried in Missouri?
In Missouri, cohabitation by an ex-spouse may matter in an alimony or maintenance case, but it does not automatically end support just because the former spouse is living with someone else. The effect of cohabitation usu...
What are my rights if my ex claims I owe support for months when the child lived with me?
If a child lived with you for a period of time, that fact may matter a lot in a Washington child support dispute, but it does not automatically erase support that was already ordered. In general, child support obligation...
What happens if my ex is paid under the table and child support is based on minimum wage?
In Texas, if a parent is paid under the table, that income may not show up on pay stubs or tax returns, which can make child support harder to calculate at first. When support is based on minimum wage, that usually means...
Can I ask for child support arrears to be forgiven if the other parent agrees?
In California, you can ask about child support arrears, but the other parent’s agreement by itself usually may not be enough to make the arrears disappear. Child support is generally treated as the right of the child, no...
What happens if my employer keeps deducting support after the court ended the order?
If a court has ended a support order but your employer keeps taking money out of your paycheck, that usually means the payroll office may not have received updated notice, or the information in its records has not been c...