Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters
Browse published legal information questions related to Family, Divorce & Domestic Matters.
What are my rights if my spouse is spending marital money on gambling?
In Kansas, if a spouse is spending marital money on gambling, you may have legal and financial concerns that matter in a divorce, separation, or other family law matter. In general, money earned during the marriage is of...
Do I have to prove the person intended to scare me to get an antiharassment order?
In Washington, you generally do not need to prove that the other person specifically wanted to scare you in order to seek an antiharassment order. In many harassment cases, the focus is often on what the person said or d...
Do I have to keep paying child support if my child turned 18 but is still in high school?
In New York, the answer is often yes, but it depends on the facts and on the terms of your support order or agreement. In general, child support does not automatically end the moment a child turns 18. If a child is still...
How do I deal with a spouse who keeps delaying the divorce by asking for continuances?
In North Carolina, a spouse who keeps asking for continuances may slow the divorce process, but it does not necessarily stop the case forever. A continuance is usually a request to postpone a hearing, conference, or tria...
Is it legal for my spouse to contact my employer about the divorce?
In general, a spouse may contact your employer about a divorce, but that does not always mean the contact is harmless or proper. In Hawaii, as in other states, whether the contact is lawful usually depends on what the sp...
Is it legal for a prenuptial agreement to say neither spouse gets anything in divorce?
In Arizona, a prenuptial agreement may sometimes include terms that limit or waive property rights in divorce, but a clause saying neither spouse gets anything is not automatically valid just because both people signed i...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge a pet fee for my certified service dog?
In general, a landlord in Michigan usually may not charge a pet fee, pet rent, or a pet deposit for a properly recognized service dog when the animal is needed because of a disability. Under fair housing rules, service a...
What happens if my spouse lies on the financial disclosure forms?
In Wisconsin, financial disclosure forms are usually an important part of a divorce or other family law case because they help the court and the parties understand income, assets, debts, and expenses. If a spouse lies on...
Is it legal for child support to be recalculated every year automatically?
In general, child support may be reviewed or changed when a court order, agreement, or state procedure allows it, but it is not always legal for support to be recalculated automatically every year without any new request...
Can a court give one spouse more property instead of ordering alimony?
In West Virginia, a court may sometimes structure a divorce outcome so that one spouse receives a larger share of marital property instead of, or in place of, ongoing alimony. But that does not mean property and alimony...
How do I prove an inheritance should not be divided in equitable distribution?
In Georgia, the basic question is usually whether the inherited property can be traced as separate property rather than marital property. In general, an inheritance received by one spouse may stay that spouse’s separate...
My Ex Won’t Remove My Name From a Joint Phone Plan — What Can I Do?
If your name is still on a joint phone plan after a breakup, the main issue is usually that the account holder and the phone carrier still see you as financially responsible for the account. In general, a joint plan can...
How Do I Reopen an Abuse Case Previously Closed for Lack of Evidence?
In Kansas, a closed abuse case is sometimes reviewed again if new information comes to light, but reopening is usually not automatic. Whether a case can be reopened often depends on why it was closed, what type of case i...
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...
How do I present text messages to the judge at a harassment protection order hearing?
In a Washington harassment protection order hearing, text messages may be useful evidence if they help show the conduct at issue. In general, a judge is more likely to consider messages that are organized, readable, and...