Legal Insights
Family Law
Plain-English family law guides, written and reviewed by our editorial team.
Family Law
Do You Need a Prenuptial Agreement?
A plain-English guide to prenuptial agreements: what they can cover, what they usually cannot decide, enforceability, disclosure, timing, separate property, debt, alimony, and when to get one.
Editorial guide
Family Law
What Is Alimony and Who Has to Pay It?
A practical guide to alimony: what it is, who may pay, temporary vs rehabilitative vs long-term support, factors courts consider, evidence, modification, tax and settlement issues.
Editorial guide
Family Law
How Child Support Is Calculated
A practical guide to child support calculations: income, parenting time, health insurance, childcare, guideline worksheets, deviations, enforcement, modification, and documents to gather.
Editorial guide
Family Law
How Is Child Custody Decided?
A plain-English guide to how courts decide child custody: legal vs physical custody, best interests, parenting schedules, evidence, safety concerns, relocation, and how to prepare for mediation or court.
Editorial guide
Family Law
Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce: What's the Difference?
A practical comparison of contested and uncontested divorce: what must be agreed, when default applies, how mediation fits, cost and timing differences, and when an uncontested case is too risky.
Editorial guide
Family Law
How Much Does a Divorce Cost?
A realistic guide to divorce cost: filing fees, retainers, mediation, contested issues, custody, experts, discovery, trial, hidden costs, and how to reduce total spend without signing a bad agreement.
Editorial guide
Family Law
Divorce in the United States: The Complete Plain-English Guide
Grounds and residency, contested vs uncontested, the full step-by-step process, how property is divided, alimony, custody and child support mechanics, prenups, and how to keep cost and conflict down.
Editorial guide