Divorce Education Library

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

Yes, you can switch from mediation to litigation if mediation isn’t working. Here’s how the process works and what to expect:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

The time difference between mediation and litigation is often dramatic. Here’s what you can generally expect:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

Yes, mediation can be used for high-conflict divorces, but it requires specific strategies and sometimes additional support to be successful. Here’s what you need to know:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

Mediation itself is not automatically legally binding, but it can become legally binding once certain steps are followed:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

When it comes to divorce, you have two main paths for resolving issues: Mediation and Litigation. Both have distinct processes, costs, and impacts on your emotional well-being and financial outcome.

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

Changing your name back to your maiden (or previous) name after a divorce is a straightforward process, but it does require a few steps. Here’s a breakdown:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

Yes, you can move out of the marital home before the divorce is final, but there are important things to consider before making that decision:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

If you can’t locate your spouse to serve divorce papers, you still have options. Here’s the step-by-step process to handle this situation:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

Serving divorce papers is a crucial step in the divorce process, and it must be done correctly and legally to move forward. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

When filing for divorce, you’ll need several important documents to begin the legal process and ensure a smooth transition through the court system. The specific requirements can vary by state, but here is a comprehensive list of what you generally need:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

If you and your ex can’t agree on a parenting plan, there are structured steps to follow to reach a resolution:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

Your joint physical custody agreement is typically determined through a combination of:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

Yes, custody agreements can be modified, but there are specific conditions and steps required to do so.

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

If your ex-spouse doesn’t pay child support, there are multiple steps and legal measures available to enforce the payments. Here’s a breakdown of what happens and what you can do:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

Whether you can relocate with your children after divorce depends on several factors, primarily your custody arrangement and the laws in your state. Here’s what you need to know:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

No, joint custody does not automatically mean your ex is exempt from paying child support.

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

When you have joint legal custody, both parents must collaborate on major decisions involving your child's upbringing, including education, health care, and religion. Disagreements are common, but there are structured ways to handle them:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

When you have joint legal custody, both parents must collaborate on major decisions involving your child's upbringing, including education, health care, and religion. Disagreements are common, but there are structured ways to handle them:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

Joint Custody is a legal arrangement in which both parents share responsibility for the care and decision-making of their child(ren) after a separation or divorce. It is designed to ensure that the child maintains strong relationships with both parents.

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

Joint Custody is a legal arrangement in which both parents share responsibility for the care and decision-making of their child(ren) after a separation or divorce. It is designed to ensure that the child maintains strong relationships with both parents.

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

Child custody is determined based on the best interests of the child, which is the primary standard used by family courts across the United States. The goal is to ensure the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being is prioritized.

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

No, your ex cannot simply decide to take full custody without going through the proper legal process. Custody decisions are made either through mutual agreement or by a court order based on the best interests of the child—not just one parent's wishes.

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

If your ex says they’re not paying child support, here's what you should know and do:

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Child support is calculated based on several factors, which vary slightly by state laws but generally follow similar principles. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

Whether you have to pay alimony (spousal support) depends on several factors, including:

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Here are the steps to close or separate joint bank accounts during a divorce:

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When a couple divorces, joint bank accounts are typically addressed during the property division process. The way the accounts are handled depends on state laws and the specifics of the divorce agreement.

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

The responsibility for debt after divorce depends on the type of debt, when it was incurred, and the state laws where the divorce is filed.

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

The division of property during a divorce in the United States depends on whether the state follows Community Property laws or Equitable Distribution principles.

Please note that these answers are not legal advice. If you’re in need of legal advice or a lawyer please visit our Expert Guide

You do not legally need a lawyer to get divorced in the United States, but whether you should hire one depends on your specific situation. Here’s a breakdown of when you might or might not need legal representation: