You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Divorce & Family Law
Family Law covers the relationships between family members and domestic partners, including marriage and divorce law . The family unit includes parents, husband and wife, children, grandparents, relatives, step-parents and step-children as well as domestic partners. Common family law issues include premarital relationships, engagement, annulment, marriage, adoption, paternity, child custody, child visitation, child support, emancipation, juvenile law and delinquency, divorce, alimony and support, division of marital property and domestic violence issues. Mediation is a growing area of Family Law which provides “alternative dispute resolution” rather than going through long court battles. Mediation is frequently used to settle disagreements over custody of minor children, parenting time with minor children, child support, spousal support and allocation of debt and distribution of property.
Divorces are known to be difficult to deal with, for both the spouses and the families involved. The couple needs to make crucial choices about proceeding with the divorce, and who to seek help from. These decisions are important, as they will impact their future plans.
According to government...
The dissolution of a marriage is a legal act that may not coincide with the emotional tearing asunder. Divorce is typically a painful process for all concerned. While it can take adults time to regain psychological equilibrium, there is also a threat to be involved in a court proceeding claiming...
Have you been considering getting a divorce from your "not so better" half? With divorce comes the problem of assessing how much alimony you are liable to pay or how much you are supposed to get.
For the residents of New Jersey, there are no alimony calculators or guidelines for support, since...
Child support orders are judicial orders or decrees issued by a judge. Any changes to the terms of the order requested by either parent generally require a judge to either modify the original order or approve a new agreement. In situations where both parents agree to child support modifications...
There is always be a reason or “grounds” to file for divorce regardless of whether you are filing in a “no-fault” state. The distinction is that a spouse who files for divorce in a no-fault state does not have to prove who is at fault for the marriage ending. This article will further explain...
In order to obtain a divorce, you must establish a reason or "grounds" for your divorce. There are generally two grounds provided by state laws for dissolving a marriage - fault-based divorce and no-fault divorce. State law varies with regard to which (or both) apply and a chart listed below...
Alimony, often referred to as maintenance or spousal support, is a payment made by one ex-spouse to the other. While the concept is simple its implementation is often very complex. Spousal support determinations involve the application of state law and financial awards create a need for good...
This article answers frequent questions about child support law in New York. Child support is the financial obligation of one parent to pay the custodial parent to help raise the child both created together. Each parent shares in the expected costs of raising a child which include health and...
This article provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about child support. It is a general guide to how most states approach common issues concerning support payments including calculation of obligations, increases and reductions, failure to pay and failure to appear in court...
There are several factors used by a court in order to make child custody decisions.
The Best Interests of the Child Standard
The courts in every state use the "best interests of the child" standard to award child custody. The standard generally tries to find the optimal mix of factors that...
Children born to unmarried parents create a host of child custody and child support issues. While the identity of the mother is usually obvious, it's not always as clear when it comes to the father. Family law governs and provides guidance. Questions of child support and custody /visitation...
Getting a civil annulment of a marriage is usually a much simpler process than divorce but there are requirements. This article will explain who qualifies and what is necessary to obtain an annulment.
What is an Annulment? How is it Different from Divorce?
An annulment is a legal process where...
This article will explain what happens if you are served with a domestic violence restraining order, which is rather easy to obtain. It will also explain how to handle accusations of domestic violence and what you can do to help your case.
What is a Domestic Violence Restraining Order
A...
This article will discuss the effects that a domestic violence charge can have on your life. It will also discuss the possibility of expunging a domestic violence charge that may have been made a part of your record.
How a record of domestic violence restraining order can affect you
A record...
A domestic violence restraining order or a protection order is available to a victim of abuse from a family member or someone close. These are the general steps to take in most jurisdictions.
First Step: Domestic Violence Prevention Forms
To get a domestic violence restraining order or a...
If you have been threatened or harmed by a family member or someone close, you have probably been the victim of domestic violence. This article will help you understand how the law handles domestic violence issues and provide information about what domestic violence restraining orders are and...
The most common times that a person may desire to change a last name or “surname” occurs when they get married, divorced, or when a child is adopted. Other circumstances occur when a person does not like the name they were given at birth and desires to make a change. This article will provide...
As the rate of divorce rises, so does the number of child custody cases that are being filed in America’s courtrooms. Child custody cases can become complex as they are agreements to be worked out between parents in a difficult, usually adversarial situation. It is best to learn in advance about...