Get free answers to your Divorce legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Your current state is Virginia
I am considering withdrawing funds from my 401k to pay for legal representation and legal fees related to my divorce. I am no longer an employee at the company that holds my 401k. I'm exploring if this is possible and what penalties or taxes might apply. Are there any regulations or... View More 
I am wanting to file for divorce but cannot afford an attorney to look over the paperwork. My husband has been out of work for about three years, and I am paying for everything on my own, barely managing to cover food and gas. We have been married for 9 ½ years and have no children together. We... View More
I'm in the divorce process in South Carolina, and we've only had a temporary hearing so far. The court order states that neither party can cancel any insurance policies or dispose of any property. Despite this, my spouse has changed the beneficiary on life insurance policies. There was no... View More
I moved from Texas to Tennessee for my husband’s job while I was 6 months pregnant, leaving behind two stable, high-paying jobs. The move was supposed to be temporary—1–2 years—before returning to our support system and life in Texas. After having the baby, I struggled to find work and took... View More
I have been married for 27 years and my husband recently abandoned me without notice, leaving me penniless, homeless, and without transportation. He closed all our accounts, changed beneficiaries on investments and life insurance, and fraudulently removed my name from vehicles, trailers, and a... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 22, 2025
I am sorry to hear about that. Unfortunately the court does not treat that as an emergency, however after filing you can request temporary orders which will result in a hearing that occurs sooner than the final orders hearing and can address issues of support. The court can address property at the... View More
I am in the process of a divorce and have a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) against my husband, who has visitation rights according to a current court order. He wants to change the visitation date temporarily so our daughter can visit her brother, who is coming from out of state after... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 22, 2025
You have the ability to agree to temporary changes in visitation schedules, even with a DVRO in place, as long as the restraining order itself doesn't prohibit such modifications. Since you mentioned there are no current restrictions on modifying visitation days, this one-time adjustment for... View More
In Minnesota, my spouse wants a separation and insists that I move out, she keeps the house, and not pay me my half of the equity despite my name being solely on the mortgage. She also requests I sign an agreement saying I willfully am not supporting the household needs or expenses once we're... View More
I own a vacation home in Pennsylvania, and my name is the only one on the deed. The house is considered a premarital asset, and there are no mortgages, liens, prenuptial, or postnuptial agreements involved. My wife refuses to consent to the sale of the property. I need to understand what recourse I... View More
answered on May 22, 2025
Based only on the information you've provided, I don't see any reason why you can't sell it. Of course, since your wife is opposed to you doing so, she may take drastic action in response. Perhaps consulting with a local attorney well versed in family law may be a good idea.
I have a pending divorce in Somerset County, NJ, with a final hearing scheduled at the end of the month. We signed a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) on April 10. I'm concerned that there is no protection clause for my children and me should my soon-to-be ex-husband default on mortgage... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 22, 2025
Since you are already represented by counsel, it would be inappropriate for any of us on this forum to comment. If you and your attorney cannot work things out, you can always fire the attorney and retain new counsel. Good luck!
I'm dealing with an issue where my husband has sole responsibility for a property per a divorce decree and has been renting it out for 15 years. His ex-wife agreed to have her name removed from the deed at the time of refinancing, but she is delaying the process despite having agreed and... View More
answered on May 22, 2025
I recommend that you have an experienced family law attorney review the property settlement agreement, or what you call the divorce decree. There may be language in it that could be helpful to your husband's position. An experienced attorney should be able to provide suggestions and... View More
I have been separated from my wife for about three years. During our separation, she had a child who is not mine biologically, yet I was mistakenly listed as the father on the birth certificate. We want to proceed with an amicable and undisputed divorce, and we both agree that I should not be... View More
I exchanged mutual pictures with a married woman over Snapchat, and we have never met in person. Now, her husband is planning to file for divorce. Could my pictures be brought up in court as part of the divorce proceedings, even if they weren’t saved?
answered on May 21, 2025
Infidelity is not an issue in Florida divorces. Only if she spent money on you will the relationship be an issue. There is no reason for the court to consider the pictures. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
My ex-spouse and I own a home in Texas, zip code 75025. According to our 2007 divorce decree, the house should go to my ex-spouse, but this decree was never filed or enforced. Currently, both of our names appear on the house title and deed. My ex-spouse has agreed to transfer the title and deed... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 22, 2025
To transfer the property, your ex will need to sign and notarize a General or Special Warranty Deed transferring the property to you. This will then need to be filed with the County Real Property records department in your County.
Is it legal for me to burn down my own house during a divorce, knowing I will lose the house in the settlement? The house is located on land I completely own, does not have any legal agreements attached, is in a rural area with no risk to others, and I do not intend to claim insurance.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 22, 2025
No, it is not legal to burn down your house during divorce proceedings, even if you own the property outright. This action would constitute arson under California Penal Code Section 451, which prohibits willfully and maliciously setting fire to any structure, regardless of ownership. During... View More
I am going through mediation and have a question regarding my marital settlement agreement. The agreement states: "In consideration of the other terms of this Marital Settlement Agreement, Husband agrees to pay Wife a specific monthly amount, one-half payable on Husband’s first payday of... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 20, 2025
This spousal support provision creates a payment obligation that begins January 2025 with a distinctive payment structure split between your first and second paydays each month. The clause establishes what California courts would classify as a contingent termination date - meaning your payment... View More
I’m currently going through a divorce in Indiana, which my wife filed for in March 2023. I recently discovered that she married someone else while we are still legally married. Do I need an attorney given these circumstances?
answered on May 22, 2025
Yes — you absolutely need to consult with a family law attorney licensed in Indiana immediately. What you’re describing is not just a divorce issue, but a potential case of bigamy, which has both legal and criminal implications. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of what this situation means... View More
I'm currently in a divorce process and pregnant by another person, with my due date set for mid to late June. I'm concerned about complications with the newborn's registration. I've discussed custody informally with my spouse, who's been absent at mediation, delaying... View More
answered on May 20, 2025
Your situation raises both legal and practical considerations, and I’m glad you’re seeking guidance now.
In Florida, being pregnant by another person does not automatically expedite a divorce, but it can complicate the timeline—especially with regard to establishing paternity and... View More
I am retired after a 28-year marriage, during which my wife consistently earned more money. She filed for divorce, and I am wondering if I can receive alimony under these circumstances. She is currently choosing not to work, and we have one home with a mortgage and another that is paid for. We have... View More
I received a divorce petition from my spouse in Texas on 05/19/2025, and I have 20 days to respond. I recently moved back to Maryland after my military spouse threatened divorce, leading me to resign from my 18-year career to support military orders in Texas. I need legal representation but am... View More
I divorced my ex-husband in December 2014 in Colorado, although I was living in California at the time due to him abandoning me in Las Vegas. He was ordered to pay $500/month in spousal support until December 2024, but I haven't received any payments since June 2017. Despite multiple attempts,... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 20, 2025
You have a valid Colorado support order that California courts can enforce under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), which allows you to register and enforce your out-of-state judgment in California without returning to Colorado. Your first step is to register your Colorado divorce... View More
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free 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 Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, 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.
