Latest Guides
Our most recent family law guides, sorted by publication date.
Move-Away Custody Cases in California
Learn how California courts handle move-away custody cases. Understand the Burgess presumption, LaMusga factors, notice requirements, and strategies for both relocating and non-relocating parents.
Florida Parenting Plan Requirements
Understand Florida's mandatory parenting plan requirements under FL Stat 61.13(2), including required elements, time-sharing schedules, and what happens when parents cannot agree.
Relocating with a Child After Divorce in Florida
Understand Florida's relocation statute (FL Stat 61.13001), including the 50-mile threshold, petition requirements, burden of proof, and the 11 statutory factors courts consider.
Modifying Child Custody in Georgia
Learn how to modify a child custody order in Georgia, including the material change of circumstances standard, the two-year waiting period, and the Bodne v. Bodne framework.
Legitimation in Georgia: How Unmarried Fathers Get Custody Rights
Learn why legitimation is required for unmarried fathers in Georgia, how the petition process works under OCGA 19-7-22, and how it connects to custody and visitation rights.
Allocation of Parental Responsibilities in Illinois
Understand how Illinois allocates parental responsibilities under the 2016 IMDMA reform, including significant decision-making, parenting time, and best interest factors.
Relocating with Children in Illinois
Understand Illinois relocation law under 750 ILCS 5/609.2, including distance thresholds, the 60-day notice requirement, 11 statutory factors, and how courts decide relocation cases.
Michigan Parenting Time Guidelines
Understand Michigan's parenting time guidelines, including standard schedules by age, best interest factors, holiday arrangements, long-distance parenting time, and the Friend of the Court's role.
Michigan's 12 Best Interest Factors in Custody Cases
Understand the 12 statutory best interest factors under Michigan's Child Custody Act (MCL 722.23). Learn how courts weigh each factor, the role of the established custodial environment, burden of proof standards, and the Friend of the Court's recommendation.
Custody Rights for Unmarried Parents in New York
Learn how custody and visitation work for unmarried parents in New York, including establishing paternity, court jurisdiction, the best interest standard, and same-sex parent rights after Brooke S.B.
Grandparent Visitation Rights in New York
Learn how grandparents can petition for visitation rights in New York under DRL Section 72, including standing requirements, the best interest standard, and the impact of Troxel v. Granville.
Best Interest Factors in North Carolina Custody Cases
Understand how North Carolina courts determine child custody using the best interest of the child standard under NCGS 50-13.2. Learn about judicial discretion, common factors, domestic violence considerations, and the role of guardians ad litem.
Custody Mediation in North Carolina
Learn how mandatory custody mediation works in North Carolina, including the court-ordered process, what to expect, costs, confidentiality rules, and exceptions for domestic violence.
How to Modify a Custody Order in Ohio
Understand the legal requirements for modifying a custody order in Ohio, including the change of circumstances standard, the one-year waiting period, and exceptions.
Shared Parenting Plans in Ohio
Learn how shared parenting works in Ohio under ORC 3109.04, including what the plan must include, how to file, court approval, modification, and the role of a guardian ad litem.
The 16 Best Interest Factors in Pennsylvania Custody Cases
Learn all 16 best interest factors under 23 Pa.C.S. 5328(a) that Pennsylvania courts use to decide custody, including which factors matter most and how judges apply them.
Child Custody Relocation Rules in Pennsylvania
Learn Pennsylvania's custody relocation requirements under 23 Pa.C.S. 5337, including the 60-day notice rule, 10 statutory factors, and burden of proof.
Fathers' Rights in Texas Custody Cases
Understand fathers' rights in Texas custody disputes. Learn about the presumption of joint managing conservatorship, the standard possession order, equal custody trends, and how to establish paternity.
Grandparent Rights in Texas Custody Cases
Learn about grandparent custody and visitation rights in Texas, including standing requirements under TFC 153.432-433, the Troxel impact, managing conservatorship, and how to overcome the parental presumption.
California Community Property Rules in Divorce
Understand how California divides marital property in divorce. Learn what counts as community property, how characterization disputes work, and key concepts like transmutation, Epstein credits, and business valuation.
Date of Separation in California Divorce
Learn how the date of separation is determined in California divorce, including the FC 70 standard, the Marriage of Davis legacy, the 2017 legislative change under AB 1091, and how it affects property division, earnings, and Epstein credits.
Equitable Distribution in Florida Divorce
Learn how Florida courts divide marital property using equitable distribution under FL Stat 61.075, including the factors judges weigh, marital vs nonmarital property, and how to protect your interests.
Grounds for Divorce in Georgia
A comprehensive guide to all 13 grounds for divorce in Georgia, including the no-fault option and 12 fault-based grounds, with strategic considerations for each.
Simplified Dissolution of Marriage in Florida
Learn how Florida's simplified dissolution process works under FL Stat 61.052(2), including eligibility requirements, filing steps, costs, and how it compares to a regular divorce.
How to Get an Uncontested Divorce in Georgia
A step-by-step guide to filing an uncontested divorce in Georgia, including requirements, the 30-day waiting period, costs, and whether you need an attorney.
Dividing Retirement Accounts in Illinois Divorce
Learn how Illinois divides 401(k)s, pensions, IRAs, and military retirement in divorce under 750 ILCS 5/503, including the coverture fraction, QDRO process, and common tax traps.
Parenting Time Schedules in Illinois
Learn how Illinois allocates parenting time under 750 ILCS 5/602.7, including standard schedules, equal parenting time, holiday arrangements, and best interest factors.
Michigan's No-Fault Divorce Process Explained
Learn how Michigan's no-fault divorce process works, including residency requirements, waiting periods, the role of the Friend of the Court, and what no-fault means for property and custody.
Property Division in Michigan Divorce
Understand how Michigan divides property in divorce through equitable distribution. Learn about marital vs. separate property, invasion of separate assets under the Dart factors, business valuation, retirement division, dissipation, and the date of valuation.
The Contested Divorce Process in New York
Understand the contested divorce process in New York, including filing options, the preliminary conference, discovery, motion practice, mandatory settlement conferences, and trial.
Equitable Distribution of Property in North Carolina
Learn how North Carolina divides marital property through equitable distribution under NCGS 50-20 and 50-21. Understand the 12 distributional factors, the distinction between marital, divisible, and separate property, and why you must file before your divorce is final.
Property Division in New York Divorce
Understand how New York courts divide property in divorce under DRL 236(B), including equitable distribution, the 13 statutory factors, marital vs separate property, and business valuation.
North Carolina's One-Year Separation Requirement for Divorce
Understand North Carolina's mandatory one-year separation period before filing for divorce. Learn what counts as living separate and apart, how to handle date of separation disputes, and the difference between divorce from bed and board and absolute divorce.
Property Division Factors in Ohio Divorce
Learn how Ohio courts divide marital property using equitable distribution, including the 12 statutory factors, valuation dates, and treatment of business interests.
Dissolution vs. Divorce in Ohio: Which Path Is Right?
Understand the key differences between dissolution and divorce in Ohio, including timelines, costs, legal requirements, and how to decide which option fits your situation.
How Pennsylvania Divides Marital Property
Understand Pennsylvania equitable distribution under 23 Pa.C.S. 3502, including the 11 statutory factors, marital vs. non-marital property, and how courts handle pensions, businesses, and professional degrees.