Understand Family Law. Explore options in divorce, child support, custody agreements. Find a qualified family lawyer to guide you through the process.
Spousal tort immunity (interspousal immunity) is a legal doctrine that historically prevented married individuals from suing each other for torts. Most US states have now abolished or significantly limited this immunity. However, state-specific variations remain—some states retain partial immunity for negligent torts while allowing intentional tort claims, others maintain immunity when “marital harmony” still exists,…
No, you cannot sue your wife for getting pregnant by another man in most US states. Spousal tort immunity, the abolition of “criminal conversation” laws in most jurisdictions, and high barriers for emotional distress claims make such lawsuits nearly impossible. Only seven states—Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Utah—still allow limited…
When a married woman becomes pregnant by another man, the husband is legally presumed to be the father in most states—even if the biological father already pays child support for other children. Legal paternity determines who pays, not biology. The outcome depends on state paternity laws, whether the marital presumption is challenged, and timing of…
When a wife becomes pregnant by another man during divorce proceedings, the husband is typically presumed to be the legal father if the child is born within 300 days of divorce finalization in most states. This presumption affects child support obligations, custody arrangements, and divorce timing—regardless of biological paternity. Understanding your state’s specific paternity laws,…
Divorce lawyers in the US earn between $76,500 and $200,000+ annually, with the national average at $115,071. Entry-level attorneys (1-3 years) average $98,882, while senior lawyers (8+ years) earn $177,061. Your earning potential depends on location, experience, practice type, and whether you specialize in high-net-worth cases. Top-paying states like Washington, District of Columbia, and New…
Provisional orders are temporary court orders issued during divorce that establish immediate rules for child custody, support, asset protection, and living arrangements while your case is pending. They protect your interests and maintain stability during divorce proceedings—often lasting months or years—until the final divorce judgment replaces them. Your first move: understand which provisional orders you…
Filing first for divorce offers strategic advantages—but it’s not always better. The answer depends on your specific situation, state laws, and case complexity. Filing first gives you jurisdictional control, timeline leverage, and preparation time, but doesn’t determine who “wins” the divorce. Courts decide based on evidence and law, not who filed paperwork first. The real…
Yes, you can legally divorce a spouse you cannot find. The process is called divorce by publication or service by publication, and it’s available in all 50 US states. You’ll need to prove you made reasonable efforts to locate your spouse, get court approval, then publish a legal notice in an approved newspaper. Your first…
The petitioner is the spouse who initiates divorce by filing a petition with the court. The other spouse becomes the respondent. Being the petitioner means you control timing, choose jurisdiction, and present evidence first at trial. All 50 states require petitioners meet residency requirements—ranging from six weeks (Idaho, Nevada) to one year (several states)—before filing….