Browse by Topic
Subscribe
Legal Forms
Author Archives: MyFamilyLaw Admin
Prenuptial Agreements: Saying “I Do” to the Many Advantages
by Michigan Family Law Attorney, Miles J. Murphy, III You hear your friends joke about it. You may take a ribbing at your bachelor/bachelorette party. Your parents may even ask about it in secret. It seems to be on everyone’s mind. The unspoken words that are on most engaged couples minds: “Prenuptial Agreement”. *GASP* Often [...]
What’s the difference between a divorce and a legal separation?
The biggest difference between separation and divorce is that a divorce legally and permanently terminates the marriage, whereas legal separation...
Main Topics: Divorce & Separation 4 Comments
What is the Visa Lottery Program?
Obtaining an Visas for a Foreign Spouse The Immigration Act of 1990 created the Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery, a program that provides 50,000 green cards to citizens of countries that sent the least number of immigrants to the U.S. in the preceding five year period. The list of eligible countries changes each year depending upon [...]
Main Topics: Foreign Spouses Add a Comment
How can we prove we’re really married for our immigration interview?
Proving the Legality of Your Marriage with a Foreign Spouse One of the things couples are asked to do during a USCIS interview is to provide proof that they are legally – and truly – married. What this means is that a marriage certificate simply isn’t enough. Immigration wants to make sure that a relationship [...]
Main Topics: Foreign Spouses 1 Comment
What are the requirements for a Fiance Visa?
Obtaining a Visa for a Foreign Fiance A fiance visa is provided to foreign parties intending to marry a U.S. citizen. To get approval for this type of visa, you cannot already be in the U.S. and you’ll need to prove your intent to marry. This topic is covered in detail in attorney Ilona Bray’s [...]
Main Topics: Foreign Spouses 1 Comment
What’s the Difference Between A Temporary Visa And A Green Card?
Non-Immigrant Visas vs. Green Cards for Foreign Spouses
Main Topics: Foreign Spouses 4 Comments
What is a meretricious relationship?
The Line Between Marriage and Cohabitation in Washington State A meretricious relationship is a term created by the Washington State legislature to define cohabitations that are marital in nature but not on paper. There are several factors that the court will consider when determining whether or not a relationship meets the meretricious definition. These include: [...]
3 Biggest Myths About Spousal Support in California
Common Misconceptions About Alimony
The Rights of Grandparents
What You Need to Know About Grandparent and Caretaker Visitation If you are a grandparent or caretaker of a child, you may be faced with a challenge to your right to see that child at some time in the future. This often happens when the child’s parents divorce or when one parent dies and the [...]
Main Topics: Custody & Visitation 10 Comments
Family Law Public Departments and Services in All 50 States
Links to State-by-State Family Law Resources Online There are numerous government and non-profit organizations at the state and federal level which have been created to help citizens deal with the issues surrounding marriage, divorce, child support, spousal abuse, and countless other specialty areas. Below are some key federal departments, as well as a collection of [...]
Main Topics: State Links & Resources 1 Comment
What Is An “Agreed” or “Uncontested” Divorce?
While some divorces result in lengthy and sometimes ugly court battles, many divorces are actually quite civil and even mutually sought.
Main Topics: Divorce & Separation 4 Comments
Legal Specialization Websites in All 50 States
State Sponsored Legal Certification Organizations Boards of Legal Specialization (the first of which was created in 1983 – in North Carolina), serve to establish programs by which qualified lawyers can become certified as specialists in a particular area of the law. This designation can help you identify lawyers who have demonstrated special knowledge, skill, and [...]
Main Topics: State Links & Resources Add a Comment
Choosing Your Filing Status After A Divorce or Separation
Tax Filing Issues For Divorcing Couples One of the biggest tax issues that divorcing or separated couples face is the question of how to file their income tax returns. And a big question it is. In general, couples who were legally “married” on the last day of the tax year (typically December 31st) are allowed [...]
Main Topics: Taxes and Divorce 17 Comments
Selling the Marital Home After A Divorce
When a couple gets divorced, one of the biggest assets they will have to split is the marital home. But what are the tax consequences of how the home is handled?
Main Topics: Taxes and Divorce 6 Comments
Laws, State by State
The Family Law Statutes that Affect You Where You Live Every state has the right to establish its own set of laws and regulations. As you can imagine, these laws can vary significantly so it helps to know the specific statutes in your state. Below is a list of state “Family Law Index” articles – each [...]
Main Topics: State Laws Add a Comment
Alabama Public Departments and Services
Family Law Links and Resources for the State of Alabama
West Virginia Public Departments and Services
Family Law Links and Resources in West Virginia
Arizona Marriage Laws
Statutes and Laws Specific to Marriage in Arizona
Is Property that I Acquired During a Separation Considered “Marital Property”?
The Status of Property Acquired Before the Divorce is Final
Main Topics: Divorce & Separation 6 Comments
Does Fault Affect an Alimony Award?
The Effects of Divorce Fault on Spousal Support
Main Topics: Spousal Support Add a Comment
Book Review: The Complete Gay Divorce
Book Review: The Complete Gay Divorce:What Happens When Gay and Lesbian Couples Call it Quits?
Main Topics: Same Sex Divorce Add a Comment
Can I File as Head of Household on My Taxes?
Changing Your Tax Filing Status After Divorce
Main Topics: Taxes and Divorce Add a Comment
Does the IRS Have to Recognize Liabilities Assigned in a Divorce Decree?
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce and Taxes
Main Topics: Taxes and Divorce 3 Comments
Is Mediation For You?
The Real Benefits of Mediating Your Divorce
Main Topics: Mediation / Collaborative 3 Comments
What happens if my partner and I can't agree on every issue in a collaborative divorce meeting?
What do you do if you can't agree on everything in a collaborative divorce?
Main Topics: Mediation / Collaborative 1 Comment
How Do I File for Divorce if My Spouse is Missing?
Moving Forward with Divorce if Your Spouse is MIA
Main Topics: Divorce & Separation 73 Comments
Should We File Jointly or Separately?
Tax Filing Options For Married Couples
Main Topics: Taxes and Marriage 6 Comments
5 Reasons Collaborative Divorce Might Work For You
How To Decide What's Best For You And Your Spouse
Main Topics: Mediation / Collaborative Add a Comment
What Is The Marriage Tax Penalty?
Understanding the Tax Ramifications of Getting Married.
Main Topics: Taxes and Marriage Add a Comment
Defenses to Divorce
Affirmative Defenses to At-Fault Divorce Allegations
Main Topics: Divorce & Separation 1 Comment
Are Gifts Between Spouses Taxable?
The IRS Doesn't Limit Gifts, but Will Tax Large Ones
Main Topics: Taxes and Marriage Add a Comment
Book Review: Divorce Without Court: A Guide to Mediation & Collaborative Divorce
Tips to Help You And Your Spouse Part Ways Amicably
Main Topics: Mediation / Collaborative Add a Comment
Does Community Property Mean “50/50″?
The Basic Rules for Dividing Community Property.
Main Topics: Community Property 6 Comments
How Do I Change My Name for Tax Purposes?
Using the Same Name on Your Social Security Card and Tax Return
What is Marital and Non-Marital Property?
Understanding the Financial Aspects of Marriage and Divorce.
Main Topics: Community Property 32 Comments
What is No Fault and At Fault Divorce?
Who's to Blame? Does is Matter, Legally?
Main Topics: Divorce & Separation 10 Comments
When a Do-It-Yourself Divorce is Right For You
How To Know If You Can Do Your Own Divorce
Main Topics: Divorce & Separation 1 Comment
Property Acquired After A Separation
Dealing With Property Distribution During A Separation
Main Topics: Community Property 2 Comments
Checklist of Documents to Gather for Divorce
Making Sure You Have the Information You Need
Main Topics: Finances & Property Add a Comment
The Hague Convention
What You Need To Know About International Custody Disputes.
Main Topics: Custody & Visitation 18 Comments
Can I Get Alimony If My Marriage Is Annulled?
Annulling a Marriage; Forfeiting Spousal Support
Main Topics: Annulment / Nullity 1 Comment
What Are The Grounds For an Annulment?
Qualifying to Erase Your Marriage
Main Topics: Annulment / Nullity 4 Comments
Divorce Laws in All 50 States
Click Your State's Link to View the Divorce Statutes that Affect You
Main Topics: Divorce & Separation Add a Comment
What's the Difference Between Divorce and Annulment?
Dissolving a Marriage Versus Erasing it From Record
Main Topics: Annulment / Nullity 5 Comments
Taxes and Common Law Marriage
The Financial Aspects of a Common Law Marriage
Main Topics: Common Law Marriage 1 Comment
The Divorce Process
The Basic Legal Steps of a Dissolution
Main Topics: Divorce & Separation 9 Comments
International Adoption Process
What To Expect When You Decide to Adopt From Another Country.
Main Topics: Adopting a Child 1 Comment
The Rights of the Second Parent
What Happens When You're Not The Legal Parent in a Gay Parenting Relationship
Main Topics: Same Sex Parenting Add a Comment
Drafting an Effective Parenting Agreement
How to Create A Workable Parenting Plan
Main Topics: Children, Custody & Support 12 Comments
What is a non-invasive pre-natal paternity test?
While there are numerous ways to test paternity, many testing laboratories have begun market a new non-invasive pre-natal paternity test that can be performed as early as 13 weeks into the pregnancy.
Main Topics: Paternity 20 Comments
What is a "validated" paternity test?
Also known as a "legal" test, a validated paternity test refers to paternity tests that are legally binding and admissible in a court of law.
Main Topics: Paternity Add a Comment
Types of Paternity Tests
Knowing Your Options for Establishing Paternity
The Benefits of Establishing Paternity
Why It's Important to Legally Document Fatherhood
Main Topics: Paternity 2 Comments
What Does Presumed or Putative Father Mean?
Determining Legal Fatherhood Regardless of Genes
Main Topics: Paternity 21 Comments
Arkansas Public Departments and Services
Family Law Links and Resources for the State of Arkansas: Links to Family Law Resources Online
Illinois Family Law Index
Links to Family Law and Related Statutes in Illinois
Idaho Family Law Index
Links to Family Law and Related Statutes in Idaho
Hawaii Family Law Index
Links to Family Law and Related Statutes in Hawaii
Georgia Family Law Index
Links to Family Law and Related Statutes in Georgia
Florida Family Law Index
Links to Family Law and Related Statutes in Florida
Delaware Family Law Index
Links to the Family Law and Related Statutes in Delaware
Connecticut Family Law Index
Links to Family Law and Related Statutes in Connecticut
Colorado Family Law Index
Links to Family Law and Related Statutes in Colorado
California Family Law Index
Links to Family Law and Related Statutes in California
Arkansas Family Law Index
Links to Family Law and Related Statutes in Arkansas
Arizona Family Law Index
Links to Family Law and Related Statutes in Arizona
Alaska Family Law Index
Links to Family Law and Related Statutes in Alaska
Alabama Family Law Index
Links to Family Law and Related Statutes in Alabama
Drug Store Paternity Tests
The Pros and Cons of At-Home Testing Kits
Main Topics: Paternity 3 Comments
Who Can Perform a Marriage Ceremony?
How to Find an Authorized Official
Main Topics: Marriage Procedures 5 Comments