Latest Guides
Our most recent family law guides, sorted by publication date.
Annulment vs Divorce: Key Differences
The differences between annulment and divorce — grounds for annulment, how the process works, property and custody implications, and which option is right for you.
Divorce After a Long Marriage
Special considerations for divorce after 20+ years — Social Security, retirement, alimony, property division, and rebuilding your financial life.
Filing for Divorce Without a Lawyer
A guide to filing for divorce without an attorney — when DIY divorce works, the process, forms you need, common mistakes, and when you should hire a lawyer.
High-Conflict Divorce: What to Know
How to navigate a high-conflict divorce — strategies for dealing with an uncooperative spouse, protecting yourself, managing costs, and reaching resolution.
Military Divorce: A Complete Guide
How military divorce differs from civilian divorce — jurisdiction, SCRA protections, pension division, BAH, healthcare, and custody with deployment.
Online Divorce Services: What to Know
How online divorce services work, what they cost, when they're a good option, and their limitations compared to working with an attorney.
Same-Sex Divorce: What You Need to Know
Legal considerations unique to same-sex divorce — property division, child custody, duration of marriage questions, and state-specific issues.
Alimony and Spousal Support: The Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about alimony — types, how it's calculated, duration, state laws, tax rules, and how to protect yourself in negotiations.
How Long Does Alimony Last
How courts determine alimony duration — by marriage length, state guidelines, types of alimony, and when payments end.
Child Support Arrears: Consequences and Solutions
What happens when you fall behind on child support — enforcement actions, penalties, how to resolve arrears, and options for getting back on track.
Child Support and College Expenses
Can courts order parents to pay for college after divorce? Which states require it, how costs are divided, and how to plan for your child's education.
Child Support for Special Needs Children
How child support works for children with special needs — extended support obligations, additional expenses, modification options, and protecting government benefits.
Child Support and Taxes
How child support affects your taxes — is it taxable or deductible, who claims the children, dependency exemptions, and common tax mistakes to avoid.
How Remarriage Affects Alimony
What happens to alimony when you or your ex remarries — automatic termination, cohabitation rules, the impact on the payer, and state-by-state differences.
Self-Employment Income and Child Support
How courts handle self-employment income in child support cases — calculating income, business deductions, imputed income, and preventing manipulation.
Alabama Child Custody: Best Interest Factors
How Alabama courts decide child custody — the best interest factors, types of custody, and what judges consider in custody cases.
Arizona Custody and Relocation Laws
Arizona's rules for relocating with a child after divorce — notice requirements, court approval, and how judges decide relocation cases.
Delaware Child Custody: Best Interest Factors
How Delaware courts decide custody — best interest factors, custody types, and what judges look for in custody cases.
Colorado Parental Responsibilities: How Custody Works
How Colorado handles child custody — allocation of parental responsibilities, decision-making, parenting time, and the best interest factors.
Hawaii Custody and Relocation Laws
Hawaii's rules for relocating with a child — notice requirements, court factors, and the unique challenges of island relocation.
Kentucky Child Custody: Best Interest Factors
Understand how Kentucky courts determine child custody using best interest factors under KRS 403.270, the equal parenting time presumption, types of custody, domestic violence considerations, and de facto custodian rights.
Indiana Child Custody Factors
How Indiana courts decide custody — best interest factors, custody types, parenting time guidelines, and modification.
Maine Custody and Parental Rights
Understand how Maine handles child custody using 'parental rights and responsibilities,' including primary residence, shared parenting, best interest factors, mediation requirements, and the role of guardians ad litem.
Minnesota Child Custody: Best Interest Factors
A detailed guide to Minnesota's 12 best interest factors under Minn. Stat. Section 518.17, covering joint legal custody presumption, domestic violence considerations, the friendly parent factor, parenting plan requirements, custody evaluations, and modification standards.
Missouri Custody Modification
A comprehensive guide to modifying custody orders in Missouri, covering the two-year waiting period, changed circumstances standard, best interest factors, relocation rules, and parenting plan requirements under RSMo 452.
Montana Parenting Plan Requirements
Understand Montana's mandatory parenting plan requirements under MCA 40-4-234, including required elements, best interest factors, the role of children's preferences, and protections in domestic violence cases.
New Hampshire Child Custody: Best Interest Factors
Understand how New Hampshire courts determine child custody — best interest of the child standard, parenting plans, joint decision-making, domestic violence presumption, guardian ad litem, mediation, and the child's preference.
New Mexico Custody and Parenting Plans
How custody and parenting plans work in New Mexico — joint custody presumption, timesharing, parenting plan requirements, best interest factors, domestic violence considerations, relocation rules, and mediation.
Oregon Custody and Parenting Plans
Understand Oregon's custody laws, including the distinction between custody and parenting time, the prohibition on court-ordered joint custody over a parent's objection, best interest factors, and parenting plan requirements.
Tennessee Child Custody: Best Interest Factors
How Tennessee courts decide child custody — the 15 best interest factors under TCA Section 36-6-106, parenting plan requirements, types of custody, and the comparative fitness standard.
South Carolina Child Custody Factors
A detailed guide to how South Carolina courts determine child custody, including the best interest standard, custody types, factors the court considers, domestic violence, the child's preference, guardian ad litem appointments, and mediation requirements.
Utah Custody and Parent-Time Guidelines
How Utah handles child custody and parent-time — statutory minimum schedules, joint legal custody presumption, best interest factors, age-specific guidelines, and relocation requirements.
Vermont Custody and Parental Rights
Understand how Vermont handles child custody through its parental rights and responsibilities framework, including physical and legal responsibility, best interest factors, the primary caretaker doctrine, shared custody, and same-sex parent rights.
Virginia Child Custody: Best Interest Factors
A comprehensive guide to Virginia's best interest factors for child custody under Va. Code section 20-124.3, including the 10 statutory factors, custody types, the presumption for frequent contact, domestic violence considerations, and how courts evaluate each factor.
Washington Parenting Plan Requirements
Understand Washington State's mandatory parenting plan requirements, including the residential schedule, decision-making provisions, required Pattern Forms, and mandatory parenting seminars.
West Virginia Child Custody Factors
Learn how West Virginia courts determine child custody, including the best interest standard, the primary caretaker doctrine, types of custody, domestic violence considerations, and mediation options.