family law
Marriage and custody
Family law is the branch of law dealing with domestic relations—marriage, divorce, child custody, adoption, and related matters.
Family law attorneys handle divorces, custody disputes, prenuptial agreements, and child support cases.
She specializes in family law.
Family court is where such cases are heard.
Breaking up completely
- separationState of being apart
- annulmentDeclared void from start
- alimonyCourt-ordered post-divorce payments
- spousal supportPayments to ex-partner
settlement · mediation · division of assets · no-fault · irreconcilable differences · contested · uncontested · divorce decree
Supervised substitute parenting
- guardianshipLegal care of another
- birth parentsGenetic mother and father
- adoptive parentsLegal non-birth guardians
- home studyLearning outside the classroom
open adoption · closed adoption · transracial adoption · child welfare · relinquishment · waiting children · consent · private adoption
Legal union of spouses
- civil unionLegal spousal alternative
- domestic partnershipNonmarital cohabiting relationship
- cohabitationDwelling together unmarried
- prenuptialBefore the wedding
postnuptial · conjugal rights · spousal · same-sex marriage · annulment · bigamy · polygamy · voidable
Document dividing child responsibilities
- joint custodyDivided parental legal responsibility
- sole custodyOne parent's complete authority
- visitationOfficial or formal visit
- best interestWhat benefits someone most
child support · custodial parent · noncustodial parent · parenting time · shared custody · primary residence · modification · relocation
Male parent status
- maternityState of being pregnant
- legitimacyLawful or rightful status
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- DNA testingAnalyzing hereditary material
birth certificate · surrogacy · gestational carrier · sperm donor · egg donor · assisted reproduction · disestablishment · biological parent
Abuse between household members
- restraining orderCourt-enforced avoidance mandate
- protective orderCourt mandate forbidding contact
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
harassment · emergency order · no-contact order · shelter · victim advocacy · mandatory arrest · safety plan · child abuse
dissolution
Breaking up completely
- separationState of being apart
- annulmentDeclared void from start
- alimonyCourt-ordered post-divorce payments
spousal support · settlement · mediation · division of assets · no-fault · irreconcilable differences · contested · uncontested · divorce decree · legal separation
foster care
Supervised substitute parenting
- guardianshipLegal care of another
- birth parentsGenetic mother and father
- adoptive parentsLegal non-birth guardians
home study · open adoption · closed adoption · transracial adoption · child welfare · relinquishment · waiting children · consent · private adoption · safe haven
matrimony
Legal union of spouses
- civil unionLegal spousal alternative
- domestic partnershipNonmarital cohabiting relationship
- cohabitationDwelling together unmarried
prenuptial · postnuptial · conjugal rights · spousal · same-sex marriage · annulment · bigamy · polygamy · voidable · marriage license
parenting plan
Document dividing child responsibilities
- joint custodyDivided parental legal responsibility
- sole custodyOne parent's complete authority
- visitationOfficial or formal visit
best interest · child support · custodial parent · noncustodial parent · parenting time · shared custody · primary residence · modification · relocation · parental rights
paternity
Male parent status
- maternityState of being pregnant
- legitimacyLawful or rightful status
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
DNA testing · birth certificate · surrogacy · gestational carrier · sperm donor · egg donor · assisted reproduction · disestablishment · biological parent · legal parent
domestic violence
Abuse between household members
- restraining orderCourt-enforced avoidance mandate
- protective orderCourt mandate forbidding contact
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
stalking · harassment · emergency order · no-contact order · shelter · victim advocacy · mandatory arrest · safety plan · child abuse · neglect
- legal fieldscivil procedure, criminal procedure, criminal code, penal code, legal theory
- legal topicscriminal code, legal procedures, legal documents, compliance, litigation
- law typesboutique firm, BigLaw, solo practice, personal injury, criminal defense
- lawlawyer, lawyers, attorney, attorneys, court
- legal systemsjudiciary, criminal code, court system, penal code, laws
- Hammurabi's Codeeye for an eye, stele, cuneiform, Babylon, tablets
family lawcriminal law
Statutes defining punishable offenses
criminal prosecution · corporate law · commercial law · business law · tax law
family lawcriminal law
Statutes defining punishable offenses
criminal prosecution · public law · constitutional law · penal law · prosecution