Legal Matters
By Cathy Meyer, About.com Guide to Divorce Support
You've made the decision and filed for divorce. Now all you need to do is make it through the legal process of divorce. Hopefully you've got an attorney you can trust but it is in your best interest to know your legal rights. The worst mistake you can make is to not become an active, informed participant in your own divorce. I encourage you to take advantage of the articles on this page. Learn your state's divorce laws pertaining to child custody, alimony, child support and property division and protect your interests.
State Divorce Laws
A divorce often includes division of marital property, splitting retirement plans, determining spousal support and the issues of child custody and child support. These complicated legal matters are made simpler and more straightforward if you familiarize yourself with your state's divorce laws.
- What is Title IV-D of the Social Security Act?
- How Does the FRA Differ From the Canadian Divorce Act?
- Who Wins in Marriage 2.0?
Divorce Attorneys
If you want to navigate those complicated legal issues that surround divorce, you are going to need a divorce attorney. Very few couples are able to get through a divorce without the assistance of a divorce attorney. These resources will help you find the right attorney; explain to you how to work pro-actively with an attorney and how to deal should you hire the wrong attorney.
- A Comprehensive Look at Divorce Lawyers
- Things to Consider When Hiring an Attorney
- Keeping Attorney Fees to a Minimum
- The Role of a Collaborative Divorce Attorney
- The Collaborative Attorney, An Alternative To Litigation
- Which Will You Choose, Mediation Or A Divorce Attorney?
- Is Your Attorney Helping or Hindering the Process?
- How to Handle an Adversarial Attorney
- Documents Your Divorce Attorney Will Need
The Divorce Process
Do you know what to expect during the divorce process? These resources will give you information needed for you to calmly face the divorce process. You will know what to expect during each step of the process and, with that knowledge make decisions that will have a positive impact, before, during and after your divorce.
- Steps Involved in the Divorce Process
- The Legal, Financial and Emotional Aspects of Divorce
- Types of Divorce
- Collaborative Divorce
- How To Get a Collaborative Divorce
- Legal Separation
- Issues Surrounding a Contested Divorce
- What is a Temporary Court Order?
- Protecting Your Legal Rights During Divorce
- Two Strategies Used During Divorce Negotiations
- Do It Yourself/Pro Se Divorce
- Divorce and Taxes
- Final Divorce Decree
- Appealing the Judge's Decision
- Divorce Advice For Women
- Divorce Advice For Men
- Creating The Financially Smart Divorce
- How to Get Divorced E-Course
- How to Find Divorce Records Online
Child Custody/Support and Visitation
Child support, child custody and visitation are the most important and, at times the most contested aspects of the divorce process. These resources will help you serve the best interest of your child by offering you the knowledge needed to negotiate with your spouse on these issues.
- U.S Custody Laws and Support Guidelines
- Common Questions About Custody and Visitation
- Types of Child Custody
- What is Joint Custody?
- The Difference Between Sole Legal Custody and Sole Physical Custody
- The Difference Between Physical Custody and Joint Physical Custody
- The Difference Between Legal Custody and Joint Legal Custody
- Child Support Enforcement Resources by State
- How is Child Support Calculated?
- Child Support Calculators by State
- Child Support and Taxes
- Should Child Support Cover College Expenses?
- How To Modify A Child Support Order
- Things You Can do to Help Visitation go Smoothly
- Parental Alienation Syndrome
Spousal Support/Alimony
Courts can award spousal support to a spouse in the form of a monetary payment. Either spouse can be ordered to pay spousal support by the court. Spousal support provides adequate income to a spouse who was dependent on his/her spouse and in unable to adequately support themselves after divorce. On this page, you will find resources covering the types of spousal support, how courts determine spousal support and individual state laws pertaining to spousal support.
- Types of Spousal Support
- Modifying Spousal Support/Alimony
- How do the Courts Determine Spousal Support/Alimony
- Canadian Spousal Support Laws
Property Distribution During Divorce
When dividing property during divorce a court will first determine if the property is marital or non-marital property. This can be a very complicated process and is dealt with according to your state's laws. On this page, you will find articles and resources that address marital property and how it is distributed during divorce.
