Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Family Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Georgia on
Q: How to handle visitation when father is not legitimized?

Mother and father were never married. Father has been in child's life the entire time. We have established paternity. He has never filed for legitimation. We have never had an actual custody agreement. Mother has always been primary caregiver. Sometimes we would try the every weekend thing,... View More

Regina Irene Edwards
PREMIUM
Regina Irene Edwards pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 2, 2025

You do not have to let the child go with the father based on what happened. You can file a case for paternity and child support, and he may choose to counterclaim with a request for parenting time. But speaking with an attorney about establishing a child support case would be the next step.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Identity Theft for Texas on
Q: My mom died in Springfield Illinois in 1998 at age 58. Bro bought house 2007 and mom is showing as resident. How and Why

She passed away at her and my fathers address in Springfield May 1998. How could she show up as a resident of a home purchased in 2007. That year she would have been 65.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 2, 2025

It depends on exactly what you mean by "showing as a resident." It very likely could be a simple mistake. Directories and similar companies make errors all the time. For example, from time to time, I occasionally receive advertising mail addressed to my deceased father at my own... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Minnesota on
Q: If I have a an HRO against me, is it a violation to have the other party served court paperwork by mail in Minnesota?

My ex husband has an HRO against me. He has been withholding my children and wrongfully denying me my parenting time for two and half months which is in violation of our court order. I submitted a motion for parenting time assistance to family court to ask them to enforce our current court order. I... View More

Thomas C Gallagher
Thomas C Gallagher
answered on Dec 31, 2024

Best practice for a person with a Harassment Restraining Order prohibiting contact with anothe rperson would be to avoid contact, whether direct or indirect. In practice, such a person may end up in the same courtroom during or waiting for a court hearing, for example. And that would not be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Georgia on
Q: Can I take my kids out of state to get away from my abusive husband?

If we go somewhere he can't find us can we establish residence away from him?

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Dec 30, 2024

If neither of you have filed for divorce and no standing order has gone into effect prohibiting either parent from removing the children from the court's jurisdiction, then technically either parent is able to travel with the children. However, if you remove the children and hide them from... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Is not wanting to divorce your spouse a reason for a contestant divorce?

My ex and I have been apart for fourteen years. We just haven’t divorced yet. I have the paperwork to file for divorce myself as a non-contestant divorce with no minor children. The problem is that I can’t get him to meet me and sign them to get them notarized. I didn’t want to pay thousands... View More

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Dec 30, 2024

Nothing. If someone refuses to sign the proper documents then you cannot file an uncontested divorce. You then have a contested divorce. You cannot force your spouse to sign papers they refuse to sign. So you would then file the proper pleadings, and have your spouse legally served. Your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Virginia on
Q: If a sibling dies by suicide and I'm the next of kin, do I hold any legal responsibilities
Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Dec 30, 2024

The cause of death is not material. If you are the closest relative, as in this case might be if your sibling had no issue (including adoptees) or living parents, you are the most eligible to probate the sibling's estate. You have no duty to do this, and you might decline if the sibling had no... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for New York on
Q: My question is ..i jst won full custody of child..mother has no visitation rights....do i allow her to talk on phone
Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 30, 2024

This is a superb question rarely seen here on Justia. This question asks what is the effect of an order of custody and visitation, and the answer requires some explaining.

The order of custody and visitation is not an order for a parent to see his child. To the contrary, the order applies...
View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Georgia on
Q: If you conceived the child then got married does the father have rights in ga

Also the baby was born and they still wasn’t married the kid was two before they married but the father is in prison for child molestation but not for the kid but because of a 13 yr old girl boss he have or when he gets out would he have any kinda rights to the kid

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Dec 30, 2024

When you later married the father the child was then legitimized. You can file for divorce and ask for sole legal and physical custody. It would be up to the father to ask for any form of custody or visitation, as you would have to have the father properly served. But the child is legitimized... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: Hi, Can my boyfriend take my kids away from me? As he has a job and I dont?

He threatens me all the time saying he will take our kids away from me. Is it possible? And would I be able to move out of state with the kids even if he won't let me? Since my family and help for me is in another state

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Dec 28, 2024

In Florida, unless you have already been to court the mother starts out with control of the children. It is possible for one parent to go to court to establish or modify timesharing (custody) but the end result will be a schedule of sharing time. It is rare for children to be "taken away"... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Nolegal child custody established. Child lives with father full time and ex lives in canada. Need travel consent w/o ex

Father and child lives in the US and ex lives in Canada. Ex filed the divorce back in 2018 in Canada but since the child is living with father, Canadian court proceeded with divorce only as they do not have the jurisdiction over the child. She does not pay for a dime or child support as directed by... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Dec 27, 2024

If you have or can get a certified copy of the Canadian divorce decree you can domesticate it (file with your local court and ask them to recognize it). Depending on the exact language regarding the child you may need to file a motion as well asking for sole parental responsibility and authority to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for New York on
Q: My husband and I have been separated over 5 yrs our son is 19 and goes to college he only would give 100 a week in

Only gave $100 a week in support now he has stopped I provide everything can I get child support and spousal support

Howard E. Knispel
PREMIUM
Howard E. Knispel
answered on Dec 27, 2024

Support, both child and spousal, is dependent on your respective incomes. New York requires a non-custodian parent to pay child support until the child is 21 unless a child is independent. You need to speak to an attorney to determine your specific issues.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Washington on
Q: If our agreement contains nothing about my possible income, does my Ex has the right to lower the support payment?

I divorced 6 months ago. After 24 years of marriage. I was a housewife all those years. Ex husband and I signed an agreement that he would pay me spouse support before my death or until I remarry. Also, I raise our 9-year-old daughter. Spouse support does not cover all needs and I started work. My... View More

Merry A Kogut
Merry A Kogut
answered on Dec 27, 2024

If the judge in your divorce case approved the agreement in which your ex-husband is to pay you a certain amount per month, your ex cannot on his own just decide to start paying you less - if he tries to do that, I suggest you file a motion and set up a hearing in front of the judge to consider... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: Can you be legally separated and not know it?

Husband filed for divorce while I was visiting family. I came home and he told me. I haven’t seen the papers

Bradley Drew Hochberg
Bradley Drew Hochberg
answered on Dec 27, 2024

People file divorce cases without first notifying the other party. After they file, they will then serve it. The served party will have 30 days to respond. You can hire a lawyer to at least consult about your options. Good luck with your case.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Nevada on
Q: Am I entitled to half a house my wife bought while married even though I signed a notarized form giving up liability?

Her dad used her name to buy it, but he used his money to pay it off. Her married name is still on the assessor's information.

Philip Spradling
Philip Spradling
answered on Dec 26, 2024

Maybe. In general, quitclaiming or deeding a property does eliminate your interest in the property. But sometimes there are ways to get some or all of it back. The answer depends on the laws of your state and the specific circumstances.

In Nevada, it is usually possible to re-acquire a...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: In my divorce decree it states I have to pay for my child’s transportation back home. If her mom is driving how does th

This work. Do I just pay a portion of the gas?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Dec 26, 2024

It depends on the specific language in your divorce decree. Usually, this language contemplates that you are paying commercial airfare or bus fare for your child's transportation home. Rarely does it contemplate paying gas for the other parent to drive the child home.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Probate for Oklahoma on
Q: What legal rights does parents have regarding a CPS case?

CPS removing child from home and what they can and cannot say and do to the PRFC regarding the removal and treatment towards the parent

Danya Bundy
Danya Bundy pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 25, 2024

If a child is believed to be a victim of abuse or neglect, the state may intervene and remove the child even temporarily until the threat can be more fully assessed. Parents who have been contacted by child welfare or who have had a child removed should contact a qualified juvenile deprived... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Arkansas on
Q: How do I make sure my daughters father can’t just come after my daughter when it’s convenient?

My daughters father has blocked me on everything and sent numerous messages stating he wants nothing to do with her and even wrote it out on a piece of paper. I want to make sure he can’t just come take her when it’s convenient to him.

Aaron Bundy
Aaron Bundy pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 25, 2024

The answer will depend on other factors, including whether there is an existing court order that grants him visitation rights or not. If there is an existing court order, you may need to seek modification of that order. Otherwise, he may be able to exercise his rights under that order even if he... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Arkansas on
Q: Are you allowed to say i heard or I believe when bringing allegations against someone in an exparte order in Arkansas

I didn't get served i was ordered to take baby to my po and everything stated in order is a lie that can be proven on my side.

Aaron Bundy
Aaron Bundy pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 25, 2024

If you try to quote someone else by saying what you heard, you may be prohibited from repeating what you heard due to the Hearsay rule. There are ways around Hearsay, but you will generally need a lawyer to help you avoid the Hearsay problem. If there is an eyewitness who made a statement to you... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Arkansas on
Q: Are you allowed to say i heard or I believe when bringing allegations against someone in an exparte order in Arkansas

I didn't get served i was ordered to take baby to my po and everything stated in order is a lie that can be proven on my side.

Danya Bundy
Danya Bundy pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 25, 2024

If you have proof that the allegations are untrue, you should have the proof ready at the hearing in an admissible format. Merely saying "I heard" or "I believe" may lead to the information being excluded. If there are eyewitnesses for your case, they may need to be subpoenaed... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Oklahoma on
Q: How to petition/motion the court for visitation by parent with my infant child who is under a guardianship in Oklahoma
Aaron Bundy
Aaron Bundy pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 25, 2024

If there is an open guardianship, you will need legal counsel to help you file a motion for visitation. You will need to be able to demonstrate that you are the parent. If you are the alleged father, you may have to undergo genetic testing. You will also need to be able to show that it is in the... View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.