Latest Guides
Our most recent family law guides, sorted by publication date.
How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer
Learn how to choose a divorce lawyer with confidence. Covers what to look for, questions to ask, fee structures, red flags, and when you actually need one.
How to File for Divorce
Learn how to file for divorce step by step, including required documents, filing fees, serving papers, and whether you need an attorney.
No-Fault Divorce Explained
Learn what no-fault divorce means, how it works in all 50 states, and why most couples choose it over fault-based grounds. Covers filing steps and key advantages.
Uncontested Divorce: Complete Guide
Uncontested divorce is faster and cheaper than contested divorce, averaging $1,500-$5,000 and 2-6 months. Learn the process, requirements, and state rules.
50/50 Custody: What to Know
Learn how 50/50 custody works, common schedules like week-on/week-off and 2-2-3, pros and cons, child support implications, and how to request it.
What to Expect at a Custody Hearing
Learn what happens at a custody hearing, including types of hearings, evidence presented, what judges look for, how to prepare, and common mistakes to avoid.
Custody Mediation: How It Works
Learn how custody mediation works, what it costs, when courts require it, and how to prepare. A complete guide to resolving custody disputes.
Child Custody for Unmarried Parents
Learn how custody works for unmarried parents, including establishing paternity, filing for custody, fathers' and mothers' rights, and how the process differs from divorce custody.
Fathers' Rights in Child Custody
Learn about fathers' rights in custody cases, including legal equality, practical challenges, documentation strategies, and what courts actually consider.
How Is Child Custody Determined?
Learn how child custody is determined by courts, including the best interests standard, factors judges consider, types of custody, and how to prepare.
How to Get Full Custody of a Child
Learn how to get full custody of a child, including what full custody means legally, when courts award it, evidence needed, and realistic expectations for your case.
How to Modify a Custody Order
Learn how to modify a custody order, including what qualifies as a substantial change in circumstances, the court process, timeline, and strategies for a successful modification.
How to Create a Parenting Plan
A parenting plan outlines custody schedules, decision-making, holidays, and communication rules. Learn what courts require and how to build an effective plan.
Relocating with Your Child After Divorce
Understand the legal requirements for relocation custody moves after divorce, including notice rules, court approval, and how judges decide relocation cases.
Types of Child Custody Explained
Types of child custody include legal, physical, joint, and sole custody. Learn how each type works, how they combine, and what courts consider in your state.
At What Age Can a Child Choose Custody?
Learn at what age a child can choose custody. Covers state-by-state rules, what 'choose' actually means legally, how courts weigh preferences, and maturity factors.
Postnuptial Agreements Guide
Everything you need to know about postnuptial agreements — what they cover, how they differ from prenups, enforceability, cost, and common misconceptions.
Prenuptial Agreements: What You Need to Know
Everything you need to know about prenuptial agreements, including what prenups cover, enforceability requirements, costs, common misconceptions, and how to start the conversation.
Community Property vs. Equitable Distribution
Understand the difference between community property and equitable distribution in divorce, which states use each system, and how they affect asset division.
Dividing Retirement Accounts in Divorce
Learn how retirement accounts are divided in divorce, including 401(k)s, IRAs, pensions, the QDRO process, tax implications, and common mistakes to avoid.
Hidden Assets in Divorce
Learn how to find hidden assets in divorce, common hiding methods, red flags to watch for, the discovery process, and legal consequences of concealing assets.
Property Division in Divorce
Understand how property division in divorce works, including community property vs. equitable distribution, marital vs. separate assets, and how courts split everything.
Who Gets the House in a Divorce?
Find out who gets the house in a divorce, including factors courts consider, buyout options, mortgage issues, equity division, and how children affect the decision.
Child Support and 50/50 Custody
Learn how child support works with 50/50 custody. Covers whether equal parenting time eliminates support, income disparity calculations, and state approaches.
Child Support Enforcement
Learn how child support enforcement works when payments stop, including wage garnishment, license suspension, contempt of court, and other legal remedies.
How Alimony Works
Learn how alimony is calculated, including the types of spousal support, factors courts consider, duration, tax implications, and state variations.
How Is Child Support Calculated?
Understand how child support is calculated, including the income shares model, percentage of income model, factors that affect amounts, and state variations.
How to File for Child Support
Step-by-step guide on how to file for child support, including where to file, required documents, establishing paternity, timelines, and enforcement.
How to Modify Child Support
Learn how to modify child support, including grounds for modification, the legal process, how courts decide, and state-specific requirements for changes.
Temporary vs. Permanent Alimony
Understand the differences between temporary and permanent alimony, including duration, modification rules, and factors courts consider for each type.
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.
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.
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.