Covers the legal issues involved in ending a marriage or domestic partnership, including divorce, legal separation, annulment, and the steps and paperwork required. Topics often include property and debt division, spousal support, child custody and parenting time, child support, and enforcing or modifying court orders.
You can file for divorce without a lawyer, and most jurisdictions require about 5–10 key forms to start and finish a pro se case. The exact paperwork depends on your state, county, and whether you have children or contested issues. This article explains the common divorce forms, filing steps, and mistakes to avoid when self-representing. […]
A frozen pension earned during marriage is typically a marital asset and may be split in divorce, often 50/50 in community-property states. Division is usually done with a QDRO or similar court order that sets each spouse’s share without triggering immediate taxes. This article explains valuation methods, step-by-step division, and how to protect your retirement […]
Online child support calculators can be off by thousands of dollars because most don’t apply state-specific guideline formulas, credits, and add-ons correctly. They commonly miss overtime/bonuses, childcare/health premiums, parenting-time adjustments, and arrears factors that courts routinely include. This article explains why calculator estimates differ from court orders and what inputs actually drive the final number. […]
Gray divorce—divorce after age 50—now accounts for roughly 1 in 3 divorces in the U.S. As more couples split near or in retirement, the financial fallout can be immediate, especially when Social Security and survivor benefits change based on marital history and timing. This article explains how retirement-age divorces affect Social Security eligibility, benefit calculations, […]
Divorce mediation typically costs 40-60% less than hiring divorce lawyers because fees are split and the process is shorter. It can be worse when there’s a power imbalance, hidden assets, or complex custody and support issues that require advocacy. This article explains real cost differences and when to choose mediation versus legal representation. The Real […]
Many divorce decrees now include a social media clause that restricts posts about the divorce, the other spouse, and the children. Courts and attorneys use these provisions to reduce harassment, protect privacy, and prevent posts from being used as evidence in custody and support disputes. This article explains common terms, enforceability, and practical compliance tips. […]
Bird’s nest custody keeps the children in one primary home while the parents rotate in and out on a set schedule, instead of moving the kids between two houses. It can reduce transition stress and keep routines stable, but often requires maintaining 3 living spaces and strong co-parenting. This article explains how it works, key […]
A postnuptial agreement is a written contract spouses sign after marriage to define how assets, debts, and potential spousal support will be handled if they separate, divorce, or one spouse dies. Its enforceability depends on state law and typically requires full financial disclosure and voluntary, fair terms. This article explains what a postnup is, what […]
Child support is a court-ordered payment one parent makes to the other to help cover a child’s basic living expenses after separation or divorce. It helps pay for essentials like housing, food, clothing, medical care, and education so both parents share financial responsibility. This article explains what child support is, what it covers, and how […]
An annulment is a court judgment that declares a marriage legally invalid from the beginning—treating it as though it never existed. It differs from divorce, which ends a valid marriage, and it generally requires proving a specific legal ground under your state’s law. This article explains the definition, how annulment differs from divorce, common grounds, […]
A no-fault divorce lets spouses end a marriage without proving misconduct, typically by stating “irreconcilable differences” or an “irretrievable breakdown.” It generally reduces conflict and focuses the case on property division, support, and parenting issues instead of blame. This article explains how no-fault divorce works, common grounds used, and what to expect in the process. […]
