Plain-English answers to the questions people actually ask about custody, child support, and divorce — with free tools to work out your own numbers and schedule.
A plain-English explanation of the 2-2-3 custody schedule — how it works week to week, who it suits, and how it compares to 2-2-5-5 and week on/week off.
Compare common 50/50 custody schedules (week-on/week-off, 2-2-3, 2-2-5-5) and what to consider for toddlers and parents who travel for work.
Even with 50/50 custody and an amicable, uncontested divorce, a court may still order child support. Here is how equal time and income affect support.
50/50 custody is not automatic. Learn what the best interest standard means, how safety concerns factor in, and how to prepare to contest a shared schedule.
What a guardian ad litem (GAL) does in a custody case: who appoints them, what they investigate, and how their recommendation is used. Roles vary by state.
When and how you can modify a custody order: the change-in-circumstances idea, the best-interest standard, and why the rules and forms vary by state.
The grey rock method for high-conflict co-parenting: keeping messages brief, factual, and unreactive, why it can lower conflict, and where to be careful.
What a custody evaluation is: when a court orders one, what the evaluator looks at, and how the report is used. The process and names vary by state.
How to prepare for your first family court hearing: what to bring, how to organize your points and evidence, and courtroom basics. Rules vary by court.
A plain-English look at parents' rights in a custody case: due process, legal versus physical custody, and why the specific rights vary by state.
A plain-English walkthrough of how family court works: filing, serving, responses, mediation, hearings, and final orders. Steps and names vary by state.
What counts as evidence in a family law case and how to use it: documents, messages, photos, and witnesses, plus relevance, authenticity, and hearsay.
How family court mediation works and how to prepare: what the mediator does, what to expect in a session, and why mediation rules vary by state.
How to document your side in a custody case: keeping a dated journal, saving messages, gathering records, and sticking to facts a judge can act on.
Common mistakes when filing custody paperwork: wrong forms, missed deadlines, vague parenting plans, and skipping service, plus how to avoid them.
A plain-English explainer of what it means to ask a family court for orders, what a court order is, and how a parent starts the process.
Divorce vs legal separation explained in plain English: what each one does, how they differ, and questions to ask before choosing. General info, not legal advice.
A plain-English guide to temporary and emergency custody orders: what they are, how they differ, and how long they last. General info, not legal advice.
Learn how a self-represented parent can keep a clear, factual custody journal that supports your case. General info, not legal advice.
A plain-English look at what custody mediation is, who is in the room, what you talk about, and what happens after, for self-represented parents.
Served with custody papers? Learn the general steps a self-represented parent can take to read, respond, and meet deadlines. General info, not legal advice.
Learn the difference between joint and sole custody, how legal and physical custody differ, and the general factors courts weigh when deciding.
A plain-English look at how parents commonly divide holidays and summer break in a custody schedule, and why the details vary by state.
How courts generally decide whether to change a recent 50/50 custody or parenting plan, and what a parent usually has to show to modify one.
Practical, plain-English strategies for coparenting with a difficult ex, from communication to documentation. General info, not legal advice.
A plain-English look at how long a custody case can take, from filing to a final order, and the factors that speed it up or slow it down.
A plain-English checklist of what to bring to a child support modification hearing, from income proof to your parenting time schedule.
Learn what 'status quo' means in a child custody case, why courts care about it, and how the current parenting routine can affect early decisions.
Learn how a child's wishes factor into custody decisions, when a judge may listen, and why the final call rests with the court. General info, not legal advice.
Learn what makes a custody declaration clear, factual, and credible: the key elements, tone, and evidence to include when writing your own.
Courts usually require a significant change in circumstances since the last order before they will modify a custody or parenting plan. Here is what that generally means.
A plain-English checklist of what a self-represented parent may want to bring to a custody hearing. General info, not legal advice. Onbello is not a law firm.
How to prepare for your first family law attorney meeting: gather documents, list goals, and write down questions so you get the most out of it.
Practical steps for when a co-parent constantly asks to change parenting time, pressures you to give up your days, or asks the kids about trips first.
Yes, your texts and emails can become evidence in a family law case. Learn how digital messages are used and what to keep in mind.
The realistic options for preparing custody, child support, and divorce paperwork without hiring a lawyer, compared: filing court forms yourself, online legal forms services, document preparation, and limited-scope attorneys, with the cost and effort of each.
Whether you must remind a co-parent of their parenting time, how to handle missed holiday exchanges, and how to communicate without escalating conflict.
If your co-parent refuses 50/50, no one just gets to decide alone. Here is how family courts weigh what is fair and how to set up a parenting plan.
Child support arrears usually cannot be lowered for months already passed, even if your child lived with you. Here is what most courts allow and what to do next.
How to decide whether to fight or settle when a child support adjustment escalates into a custody dispute, plus what documentation actually helps.
How courts decide whether facts show a significant change in circumstances to modify a final custody or visitation order, in plain English.
What courts generally look at when a parent with 50/50 custody wants to relocate with a child, and the practical steps to take before filing.
Courts can waive filing fees for people who cannot afford them. Learn who may qualify for a fee waiver and how to ask for one in your family law case.
Child support does not increase automatically. Learn when orders change, how cost of living adjustments work, and how to request a modification.
Learn what it means to serve court papers in a family law case, who can serve them, common methods of service, and why proof of service matters.
Learn what a proof of service is in family court, why judges require it, and how a missing one can quietly stall your custody or divorce case.
Learn what an emergency custody request really is, when courts treat a situation as a true emergency, and what happens after you file.
Learn how to act in family court as a self-represented parent: what to wear, how to speak to the judge, and courtroom behavior that helps your case.
Thinking about dropping your child support case for a private agreement? Learn why court orders are enforceable, informal deals usually are not, and a middle path.
Discovery is the formal process of exchanging information in a family law case. Learn what it covers, common types, and how self-represented parents use it.
Missing a family court hearing can lead to orders made without you. Learn what typically happens next and the steps you can take to respond.
What US parents should know about custody and child support when children live abroad: jurisdiction, voluntary payments, and steps toward shared custody.
How to modify an old default child support order after a custody change, what counts as a substantial change, and why filing sooner matters.
Contempt in family court explained in plain English: what it means when a parent violates a custody or support order, and what usually happens next.
Parallel parenting lets high-conflict parents raise kids with minimal contact. Learn how it works, how it differs from co-parenting, and how to set it up.
What happens if your ex never responds to a custody, divorce, or support case? Learn how default works, what courts can do, and what steps come next.
Nesting, or birdnesting, is a custody setup where kids stay in the family home while parents rotate in and out. Learn how it works and what to consider.
Learn what a settlement conference is in family court, how it works, who attends, and how to prepare if you are representing yourself.
Learn how stipulations let parents settle custody, support, and divorce issues by agreement instead of trial, and how judges turn them into court orders.
A plain-English walkthrough of a custody trial: what happens before, during, and after, and what the judge is really deciding.
Plain-English guide to speaking in family court: how to address the judge, what to focus on, and common mistakes self-represented parents should avoid.
Character letters can support a custody case, but judges weigh them carefully. Learn what makes a letter useful, who should write one, and the limits.
Yes, most states will reinstate a license suspended for child support arrears once you enter a payment agreement. How it works and who can help pay.
Learn how posts, photos, and messages on social media can be used in custody cases, and the common mistakes self-represented parents should avoid.
Recording your ex can backfire legally and in court. Learn about consent laws, admissibility, and safer ways to document co-parenting problems.
Courts can base child support on what a parent could earn, not just what they report. Learn how imputed income works and what evidence courts consider.
Never received your divorce judgment or custody orders? Learn why, how to get copies from the court clerk, and how to update your address on file.
Custody for unmarried parents usually starts with establishing legal parentage. Learn how the process differs and what steps to expect in plain English.
How courts view a parent badmouthing the other to the kids, how to document it, and what a self-represented parent can ask the court to do.
A plain-English overview of stepparent adoption: consent, ending the other parent's rights, the court process, and what changes after approval.
Learn who can testify in a custody case, including family, teachers, and professionals, and what makes a witness helpful to a judge.
Learn how separated parents decide who claims the children on taxes, what happens if both parents claim a child, and how to put your agreement in writing.
Some states have replaced "custody" with terms like parental responsibilities and parenting time. Learn what the new words mean for your case.
Learn how courts typically handle health insurance coverage and medical bills for children and spouses after separation, and what varies by state.
Learn what a Request for Order (RFO) is in family court, when parents file one, and what happens after filing. Plain-English guide for self-represented parents.
If you ignore a custody petition, the court can move forward without you and issue default orders. Learn the risks and what steps you can still take.
Learn what a family court declaration is, what to include, and how to write one that a judge can actually use. General guide for self-represented parents.
Imputed income is earning power a court assigns to a parent for support math. Learn when judges use it, how it is estimated, and how to respond.
Learn how parents can ask the court to change an existing custody or child support order, what courts look for, and what the process usually involves.
Learn what supervised visitation means, why family courts order it, how supervised visits work, and how parents can work toward unsupervised time.
Learn how temporary orders differ from final orders in family court, why both matter, and how each can affect custody, support, and your case.
Learn what a court fee waiver is, who typically qualifies based on income or public benefits, and how to request one when you cannot afford filing fees.
Learn how service of process works in family court, who can serve papers, common methods, and how to prove service was done right.
When a 50/50 decree no longer matches real life, courts can modify custody and child support to fit the actual schedule. Here is where to start.
Courts usually require a substantial change in circumstances to modify custody. Learn why facts both parents knew at signing rarely qualify on their own.
With 50/50 custody, most states base child support on the income gap. If you earn less, you are more likely to receive support than pay it. Here is how it works.
Learn what a child custody evaluation is, what the evaluator looks at, and practical ways to prepare, explained in plain English for self-represented parents.
Courts often start at 50/50 custody. Learn when judges deviate, how to raise safety concerns without looking like an alienator, and what a step-up plan is.
Learn what minor's counsel and guardians ad litem do in custody cases, how they get appointed, and what their involvement means for self-represented parents.
Learn how the right of first refusal works in custody agreements, when it applies, and how parents can add it to a parenting plan.
Nesting means the kids stay in one home while parents rotate in and out. Learn how birdnesting works, its pros and cons, and when families use it.
Learn what financial disclosures are in a divorce, what information they cover, and why exchanging them honestly matters. Plain-English guide for parents.
Contempt is how courts enforce family law orders. Learn what it means, what a judge must find, and how the process generally works in plain English.
How to decide between modifying a custody order and enforcing one that is being violated, what evidence matters, and how child support fits in.
A stipulation is a written agreement between parents that a judge can sign into a court order. Learn how the process works and why it matters.
Meet and confer means talking with the other party to try to resolve issues before a hearing. Learn what it involves and why courts expect it.
Just served with family court papers? Learn the first steps: read everything, find your response deadline, and get organized. Plain-English guide.
Courts may consider a child's preference in custody cases, but a judge makes the final call. Learn when a child's wishes matter and how courts hear them.
Learn how to write co-parenting texts and emails that hold up in family court: stay factual, stay calm, and keep organized records.
Learn what a prove-up hearing is in an uncontested divorce or family law case, what the judge typically asks, and how to prepare if you represent yourself.
Learn why family courts often encourage or order co-parenting apps, how they create records, reduce conflict, and what that means for your custody case.
Learn why a simple calendar and good records can strengthen your custody case, what to track, and how to keep documentation a court can actually use.
Why unmarried parents should legally establish paternity even in a good relationship: rights, benefits, and protection for your child. General info.
A judge's ruling at a hearing usually is not enforceable until it becomes a signed written order. Learn how the written order gets prepared and filed.
Learn how courts treat overtime, bonuses, and side gig earnings when calculating child support, and why income is defined more broadly than base pay.
Learn how co-parents can track shared child expenses, keep receipts, and send clear reimbursement requests, plus what to do when a parent will not pay.
Most courthouses have a free self-help center for people without lawyers. Learn what they do, what they cannot do, and how to use one.
Learn how to build a one-page timeline of your custody or divorce case, what events to include, and how to use it in court filings and hearings.
Practical, plain-English tips for replying to a hostile co-parent message calmly, keeping a clean record, and knowing when not to respond at all.
What to do when your co-parent goes silent: how to document it, keep communicating the right way, and when the court can step in. General info, not legal advice.
Using your child as a messenger between co-parents can hurt your custody case and your child. Learn why courts care and what to do instead.
What to do when the other parent's court declaration contains false statements: how to respond in writing, correct the record, and stay credible.
Yes, you can owe child support even with 50/50 custody. Learn why income differences matter, how guideline formulas work, and when support can change.
Missed deadlines can sink a family court case. Learn how self-represented parents can find, calendar, and protect every important date.
How courts view a new boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse in a custody case, what actually matters, and how to protect your parenting time.
How to ask the court to order a psychological evaluation of a co-parent, what judges look for before granting one, and how to word the request.
Who chooses a child's school after divorce? Learn how legal custody affects school decisions and what to do when parents disagree.
Learn why a short midweek dinner visit matters in a custody schedule, how it fits common parenting plans, and how to propose one in your parenting plan.
Learn how video calls with your kids, sometimes called virtual visitation, can work in a custody order, and what to do if the other parent blocks them.
Supervised exchanges and supervised visitation sound alike but mean very different things. Learn what each one covers and when courts use them.
A single screenshot can be challenged as out of context. Learn how to capture and organize full message threads for family court.
Child support with no custody depends on your state's formula, incomes, and parenting time. See what drives the amount and how to estimate your number.
Late pickups and missed custody exchanges: why documenting calmly beats arguing, what to log, and when a pattern may justify going back to court.
Questioning your kids after visits can stress them out and hurt your custody case. Learn why it backfires and what to do instead.
What co-parents should know before enrolling a child in sports or activities that overlap both households' parenting time, and how to handle disagreements.
A plain-English guide to the people you'll see at a family court hearing: the judge, courtroom clerk, bailiff, and court reporter, and what each one does.
Missing a family court date can hurt your case. Learn how to ask the court to reschedule a hearing the right way, and why skipping is risky.
When parents live in different states, custody usually belongs in the child's home state. Learn how courts decide which state handles your case.
Leaving active duty and losing military pay? Learn when to file a child support modification, how courts view the income drop, and how VA benefits count.
What it means to sign a court form under penalty of perjury, why courts require it, and how to complete your family law forms truthfully and carefully.
Many courts provide free interpreters for family law hearings. Learn how to request one, who can interpret, and what to do if you need language help.
Yes. A support order stays in force until a judge changes it. Learn why you must keep paying while your modification request is pending.
Why most family courts expect parents to leave children at home on hearing day, what happens if you bring them, and how to plan childcare.
Not every violation of a custody or support order justifies a return to court. Learn how to weigh minor slips against patterns that matter.
Yes. Limited scope representation lets you hire a family law attorney for one hearing, one document, or one task instead of your whole case.
A new family court order is a set of instructions with dates attached. Learn how to read it line by line and put every deadline on your calendar.
Filed your family law papers and got a hearing date? Here is how to use the weeks before your hearing to serve the other party, prepare, and stay organized.
When a holiday falls on a Monday, does the weekend parent keep the extra day? Learn how parenting plans usually handle three-day weekends.
Courts can base child support on what a parent could earn, not what they actually earn. How imputed income works, what judges look at, and how to prepare.
Practical steps for co-parenting with an ex who lies, is inconsistent with the kids, or keeps crossing boundaries, and when it is time to change the custody order.
Learn why many custody schedules use school drop-off and pickup as the exchange point, how it reduces co-parent conflict, and what to consider before choosing it.
A child refusing visits does not cancel a custody order. Learn what courts expect, how to document refusals, and when to ask for a change.
Ordered to pay child support and spousal support you cannot live on? Here are the realistic options: checking the numbers, asking for a modification, and avoiding arrears.
School attendance and tardy records come from a third party, not either parent. Learn why courts treat them as neutral evidence and how to gather them.
Cropping, editing, or annotating screenshots and photos can get your evidence challenged in family court. Learn how to preserve originals the right way.
Learn how a reply window for non-urgent co-parenting messages works, why it reduces conflict, and how to set one that holds up in a custody case.
Parents can often agree to child support below the state guideline, but a judge has to approve it. Here is how deviations and imputed income usually work.
Plain-English guide to what 'in pro per,' 'pro se,' and self-represented mean in family court, and what it means for you as a parent without a lawyer.
In most cases a parent can access a child's school and medical records regardless of custody. Learn what that right covers, its limits, and how to ask.
Plain-English guide to court-ordered parenting classes in custody and divorce cases: what they cover, who has to take them, and what happens if you skip one.
Hearsay explained simply for self-represented parents: what it is, why judges may not consider it, and how to bring in evidence the court can actually use.
Court clerks can explain procedures and forms but cannot give legal advice. Learn what to ask the clerk, what they must refuse, and where to turn instead.
How child care, medical, school, and activity costs are handled on top of basic child support, and what varies by state. General info, not legal advice.
Self-employed and facing a support case? Learn what income courts usually count, which business write-offs may be added back, and how to document it.
Practical ways to support a young child's reading, writing, and speech therapy progress at home, including tips for co-parents splitting time between two homes.
Practical ways to co-parent with an ex who cheated: parallel parenting, business-only communication, a fixed custody schedule, and what infidelity does and does not change in court.
How to set holiday boundaries with extended family, stay home with your kids, handle divorced grandparents, and put holidays in writing if you co-parent.
What happens to child support when a parent earns more than the state formula cap: judge discretion, the child's needs, income swings, and settling.
Why an affair usually does not change custody, support, or property outcomes, and the narrow situations where a new partner's conduct can matter.
What changes in a custody or support case when the other parent has an attorney and you are self-represented, and what stays the same.
Learn why a transcript of your family court hearing can matter, how transcripts are created, and what to consider before requesting one.
Text messages, photos, and call logs for a custody or divorce case often live on a single phone. Learn why and how to back them up before something goes wrong.
Your first holiday without the kids is hard. Learn how to plan the day, keep transitions calm, and use the time well with these general tips.
When a child is sick on a school day, the parenting plan usually decides who cares for them. Learn how orders handle sick days and what to do when they don't.
Many family court hearings now happen by video or phone. Learn how remote hearings work, how to prepare, and what to expect as a self-represented parent.
Why the 2-2-3 custody schedule wears parents out, who it works for, and the schedules parents switch to (2-2-5-5, week on week off) as kids get older.
How custody works with older teens: why their preferences carry weight, how to keep flexibility without giving up rights, and how time affects support.
Child support math leaving you broke? How guideline formulas, low-income adjustments, parenting time, and hardship deductions can change the number.
How self-represented parents handle a custody case: what to prepare, how to propose a schedule, and where to find low cost help short of a full retainer.
High conflict does not rule out 50/50 custody, but how you handle communication matters. What courts look at, and how child support fits in.
Practical ways to handle the quiet weeks of a 50/50 custody schedule: routines, staying connected with your kids, and making the off days count.
Living together before a divorce is filed? What moving out can mean for custody, how to document your caregiving, and how to support your kids through it.
How long child support usually runs, what sets the monthly amount, how imputed income works, and when a parent can ask a court to change the order.
Reunification therapy and a support modification are separate tracks. How to answer discovery, respond on support, and keep the court focused on the therapy plan.
Practical ways solo parents with no backup care can recover after long days with a toddler, protect sleep, and fit in the admin work that keeps a household running.
Voluntary payments to an ex after spousal support ends: whether they create a legal obligation, how taxes treat them, and how to set limits that protect you both.
What to expect in a custody case involving an autistic child: how courts look at care history, routines, therapy, and how to document your role as a parent.
Preschooler hitting, kicking, or spitting at school? What tends to help, how to get an evaluation, and how to keep records if custody is ever in play.
Living with your parents after a baby and feeling like a burden? Plain-English guide to who decides for the baby, setting boundaries, and when to get help.
How long-distance custody works when parents live hours apart: typical schedules, who handles travel and costs, and how courts decide on relocation.
What courts look for when a parent asks to change a 50/50 parenting plan, what counts as a change in circumstances, and how to build a realistic case.
How separated parents handle backpacks, sports gear, devices, and clothes that move between two homes, and what a parenting plan can say about it.
A plain-English guide to tabbing, labeling, and copying exhibits for a family court hearing, and why organized evidence is easier for a judge to use.
Practical ways to support a partner through a high-stress job transition when you have young kids: lower the noise at home, name the fear, and plan for both outcomes.
Practical ways to build a support network when you are raising kids far from family, with no grandparents or backup, and how to filter advice that assumes you have help.
BIFF stands for brief, informative, friendly, and firm. Learn how to use it to answer a hostile co-parenting message without making the conflict worse.
Mixing five issues into one co-parenting text invites missed answers and conflict. Learn why one topic per message keeps a clearer record.
A practical way to split nights, mornings, and evenings with a newborn when one parent returns to full-time work and the other is home.
Learn when a concealed affair or emotional relationship can affect divorce, property, support, or custody, and when courts treat it as legally irrelevant.
Agree on what counts as an emergency with your co-parent, who can act, and how fast to notify each other, before a crisis forces the question.
A simple handoff note at custody exchanges covers meds, sleep, homework, and mood so your child's routine carries over between homes. General info only.
If your family court judge ended the hearing without a ruling, the matter may be under submission. Learn what that means and what to do while you wait.
Learn how to find your family court hearing using your case number, department or courtroom, and the court's online case lookup. General info, not legal advice.
Learn the usual order of family court paperwork before a hearing: the request, the response, and the reply, and why the timing of each one matters.
Judges often skim or read only part of your file before a hearing. Learn what they likely saw, what they skipped, and how to write for a busy reader.
Why the first months of a custody arrangement feel hardest, how toddlers react to handoffs, and practical steps that make time-sharing easier for parents.
Plain-English guide to paying child support through a state disbursement unit versus directly to the other parent, and why the record matters.
Plain-English guidance for parents on what to tell children about a custody or divorce case, what to leave out, and why courts care how you handle it.
Why family courts order parenting classes, what judges look for when you finish one, and how to show you took it seriously. General info, not legal advice.
A hallway deal is a last-minute settlement offered outside the courtroom. Learn why you should never agree to terms you do not understand minutes before your hearing.
Why kids compare houses after a separation, what it does and does not mean for custody, and how to respond without turning it into a tug of war.
Plain-English guide to how family court orders get served on the other parent, who can serve them, and what proof of service means. Varies by state.
What happens when you raise a new issue or request at a family law hearing that was not in your filed papers, and how to avoid the problem.
Court forms get updated. Learn how to spot a form's revision date, confirm you have the current version, and use the instruction sheet before you file.
Long declarations often hurt self-represented parents. Learn why judges prefer short, focused statements and how to trim yours to what matters.
A plain-English guide to family court hearing day logistics: arriving early, parking, getting through security, finding your courtroom, and waiting.
Haircuts, ear piercings, and other small choices can start co-parenting fights. Learn how parents usually handle them and how a parenting plan can help.
How parents can reintroduce a young child to a grandparent after estrangement, set boundaries, and understand how courts treat grandparent visitation.
How ordinary records like school emails, medical visits, and calendars can show a court your day-to-day role in your child's life. General info, not legal advice.
Voicemails and voice memos can disappear when you switch phones or carriers. Learn simple ways to back them up and keep them organized for a family court case.
How to capture and organize the other parent's public posts so they stay complete, unaltered, and useful in a custody case. General info, not legal advice.
What to share with your child's school during a custody case, what to keep private, and how court orders affect pickup, records, and school contacts.
A five-line weekly co-parent check-in, sent the same day each week, keeps communication short, factual, and easy to show a court if needed.
Practical ways the non-feeding parent can lighten the load with exclusively breastfed twins, plus a step-by-step way to build confidence flying solo.
Sharing report cards, lost teeth, and goals scored with your co-parent builds a record of good-faith communication. Here is why it matters.
A custody case is stressful, but not every listener is safe. Learn who you can vent to, who to avoid, and why some conversations end up in court.
Plain-English guide to 'off calendar' and 'reserved' on a family court minute order, what each means for your case, and what to do next.
How a parent asks the family court to order the other parent to pay attorney fees, what judges weigh, and how the request is usually made. General info.
A plain-English breakdown of what a child custody case actually costs, from court filing fees to attorneys, mediation, and low-cost or free options.
Legal custody, physical custody, sole, joint and shared custody explained in plain English, plus how parenting time fits in.
Skipping the other side's filings is a common mistake in family court. Learn what to look for, how to prepare, and why it matters.
A sample morning and daily routine for a one-year-old, how much play they really need, and how to keep the same rhythm when a child moves between two homes.
Where to look for free or low-cost custody help: legal aid, bar association referrals, law school clinics, court self-help centers, and limited-scope lawyers.
Plain-English guide to who decides a child's school or doctor, why unilateral changes cause problems, and what a parent can do when it happens.
Local court rules can change how your family law papers must be formatted, filed, and served. Learn what to check before you file.
Learn how Exhibit A, Exhibit B, and so on connect your declaration to your proof so a judge can follow your facts. Plain-English guide for parents representing themselves.
Losing a custody case is a real loss. Practical steps for grieving, staying present in your child's life, and understanding that custody orders can change.
Friends who went through divorce or custody mean well, but their outcome does not predict yours. Learn why cases differ and what to rely on instead.
A calm night-before-court checklist for self-represented parents: what to pack, what to review, and how to stop spiraling. General info, not legal advice.
What a co-parent can do about the first day of school when it falls on the other parent's time, and how to handle it without a conflict.
Practical ways couples and co-parents split Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holidays between two families: alternating years, split days, and written rotations.
What happens when a parent violates a custody order: contempt, make-up time, fines, modified custody, and what to do first. Plain-English guide.
How parenting plans handle spring break and winter break: alternating whole breaks by year versus splitting each break, and how to choose.
Vague words like 'the weekend' cause custody conflict. Learn why exchange times should be written to the minute, and what to include in your parenting plan.
How co-parents handle playdates and sleepovers that fall on the other parent's custody time, what the order usually controls, and how to avoid conflict.
Infidelity rarely decides custody on its own. Learn how courts weigh a parent's affair, when it does matter, and what actually drives custody orders.
Why minor holidays like Halloween and the Fourth of July cause custody conflict, and how parents can write them into a parenting plan before a dispute starts.
Original photos carry hidden date and location data. Screenshots do not. Learn why that matters when you bring evidence to family court.
Judges decide custody using the best interest of the child standard. Here are the factors courts weigh most, and how to show them in your own case.
Plain-English guide to work travel clauses in parenting plans: what they cover, how right of first refusal works, and how to write one that holds up.
How to export text messages for a family law case: full threads with dates, names, and page numbers, saved in a format a judge can read and verify.
You are not required to hire a lawyer for child custody. Learn when going it alone works, when an attorney matters, and middle-ground options.
Learn why asking a co-parent a clear yes-or-no question works better than telling them what to do, and how it helps your custody record.
The 24-hour rule means waiting a day before replying to a co-parent message that upset you. Learn why it protects you and how to use it in a custody case.
Child support cannot simply be waived or skipped, but it can be lowered, paused, or ended through the court. Here is how that actually works.
Why a short follow-up message after a co-parenting phone call protects you, how to write one, and what to keep out of it. General info, not legal advice.
In most cases you do not need the other parent's permission to introduce a new partner, but notice, timing, and your court orders matter. Here is how it works.
A continuance postpones your family court hearing. Learn how continuances work, why they get granted or denied, and the hidden costs of a delay.
No. Jail time does not erase child support. Learn why the debt keeps growing, how courts enforce support, and what to do if you truly cannot pay.
Representing yourself in family court? If the judge asks something you don't know, say so honestly. Here's how to handle it calmly and credibly.
A plain-English guide to objecting in family court as a self-represented parent: when to speak up, when to wait, and how to object respectfully.
Some custody mediators can give the judge a recommendation and others keep everything private. Learn the difference and how to find out which one you have.
How families decide whether adults swap gifts or only kids get them, how to handle fairness for single siblings, and simple systems like name draws.
Yes, mothers can be ordered to pay child support. Courts look at income and parenting time, not gender. Here is how it works in plain English.
Who back child support belongs to once the kids are grown, why it usually goes to the parent who raised them, and the rare cases where it does not.
Why filing a new court request over every minor co-parenting issue can backfire, and how to tell when something is worth bringing to the judge.
How California calculates guideline child support under Family Code § 4055 — the income, timeshare, and deduction factors that drive the number, in plain English.
A plain-English guide to finding, vetting, and hiring a California family law attorney for a custody case that involves domestic violence.
A plain-English look at common 50/50 custody schedules, what judges usually expect, and whether kids can be split between parents.
How California move-away custody requests work: filing to modify custody, the best-interest standard, and what courts weigh when a child may relocate out of state.
How California courts decide the start date for retroactive child support, and why the filing date usually matters more than when a DCSS case opened.
How California treats work-related childcare, childcare for another child, and hardship deductions when calculating guideline child support and net disposable income.
In California, your custody and visitation order controls the schedule. Here is how to handle a co-parent who tries to deviate from it, plus safety concerns.
What California judges consider at a child support modification hearing, and when support below the guideline amount can be approved.
How California courts decide 50/50 custody, the best-interest factors that matter, and how being an involved parent affects your case.
A plain-English guide for self-represented parents facing heavy or one-sided discovery in a California family law case, plus what judges tend to notice.
How Minor's Counsel works in California custody cases: what they do, how the interviews with parents and kids go, and whether honesty helps or hurts.
How California custody works when you had a brief relationship, never lived together, or the other parent was absent. Plain-English overview for new parents.
Practical, plain-English ways co-parents can shield kids from custody tension: routines, communication, and keeping conflict out of the child's world.
A plain-English guide to modifying a child custody order in California: the changed circumstances standard, filing an RFO, and building a safety-focused case.
Where to find free or low-cost custody help in California: legal aid, self-help centers, limited-scope attorneys, and fee waivers when you cannot afford a full retainer.
How California judges can base child support on earning capacity when a parent quits, cuts hours, or claims they cannot work. Plain-English overview.
Paid California child support directly to your ex instead of the State Disbursement Unit? Here is how direct payments get credited and how to protect yourself.
California lets certain relatives, including siblings of a deceased parent, ask the court for visitation. Learn who qualifies and how to file.
How California judges handle 50/50 custody requests from a parent who has been absent, why courts often start with gradual visitation, and what to expect.
How California keeps child support to repay CalWORKs, what the pass-through payment is, and what happens once your aid balance reaches zero.
A California custody mediator's recommendation is not a court order. Learn how to object, present your evidence, and ask the judge to decide instead.
How a long-term California DVRO affects who stays in the home, who pays rent, and custody orders. Plain-English guide to what changes after the hearing.
What California move-away orders usually say about travel for parenting time, who pays for flights, and how to ask the court to change the terms.
Steps to take when California child support is not collecting arrears: case reviews, interstate rules, enforcement tools to request, and no-lawyer options.
What full custody means in California, how to file a request for order to change an existing custody order, and what evidence judges actually look for.
Worried a direct child support payment won't count once wage garnishment starts in California? Learn how to get credit for payments and avoid paying twice.
You must file and serve your FL-320 Responsive Declaration at least 9 court days before the hearing, unless the court set a different date. The rule, the citation, and what to do next.
A California Request for Order must be served at least 16 court days before the hearing, plus 5 calendar days if mailed within California. The statute, the form instructions, and how to count.
California requires a current FL-150 for support hearings, and current means completed within the past three months with no facts changed. Rule 5.260, rule 5.92, and what to attach.
No. In California someone at least 18 and not a party to the case must serve family court papers. Who can serve, what they hand over, and the proof of service forms.
The FL-300 Request for Order plus, for custody, the forms on the FL-300-INFO checklist: FL-105, FL-311, FL-312 and the FL-341 attachments, a declaration, and an FL-150 if you ask for support.
If the other parent files no FL-320, the hearing still goes ahead and the court may make the requested orders without their input. What the FL-300 warning says and why service matters.
California parents who agree can turn a new custody schedule into a court order without a hearing, using form FL-355 signed by both parents and a judge. What the courts say and the limits.
Yes, when custody or visitation is contested. Family Code 3170 requires the court to set contested custody issues for mediation. What mediation covers, recommending counties, and safety options.
File form FW-001 with your papers. You qualify through public benefits, monthly income at or under 200 percent of the poverty guidelines, or being unable to pay fees and meet basic needs. Government Code 68632 explained.
If your custody order includes a Family Code 3024 notice provision, yes: written notice by return-receipt mail, at least 45 days ahead where feasible, for a move of more than 30 days. Section 7501 explained.
Family Code 3177 makes California custody mediation private and confidential, but in recommending counties the counselor can give the judge a written recommendation. The statute text and the limits.
Yes, if there is a disparity in access to funds for a lawyer and the other parent can pay. Family Code 7605, 2030, 3121 and 271, rule 5.427, and the FL-319 and FL-158 forms.
Yes. At a California domestic violence restraining order hearing the judge can make custody and visitation orders and must consider supervised, suspended, or denied visits. Family Code 6323, 6340, 3100 and form DV-140.
Without an order, both parents generally keep equal custody rights, and Penal Code 278.5 applies order or not. Family Code 3010, Penal Code 277 and 278.7, and the six-month home state rule.
No California law sets a total time. What the law sets: file to get a hearing date, serve 16 court days before it, and, if custody is contested, go to mediation. CCP 1005, Family Code 3170 and 3175.
Until 18, or until the child finishes 12th grade or turns 19, whichever is first, if the child is an unmarried full-time high school student who is not self-supporting. Family Code 3901 and 3910.
It depends on how parentage was set: rescind a voluntary declaration within 60 days, challenge it in court within two years, or set aside a judgment on genetic testing. Family Code 7575, 7576, 7646 and forms FL-280 and FL-272.
You have to ask. A California support order changes when a court modifies it, and the change cannot reach back before the date you file. Family Code 3651 and 3653, and what to file.
Yes, going forward, by a request to modify under Family Code 3651. After six months, setting a default order aside is generally limited to fraud, perjury, or lack of notice under section 3691; in a local child support agency case based on presumed income or earning capacity, section 17432 allows two years from the first wage withholding collection.
For contempt, form FL-410 with the FL-412 affidavit. To clarify or change the order, a Request for Order (FL-300). For expenses caused by thwarted visits, Family Code 3028. The rules and deadlines.
Legal custody is decision making; physical custody is where the child lives. Either can be joint or sole. Family Code 3003, 3004, 3006, 3007, 3083 and 3040(e), quoted, and the forms that ask for each.
Who decides, where the child lives, the schedule, holidays, exchanges, travel, and calls. What the courts’ self-help guide and Family Code 3048 say, and a plain sample outline built from forms FL-311 and FL-341.
File a Request for Order (FL-300) with a current FL-150 as soon as you can; a change cannot reach back before the filing date. Family Code 3651 and 4058, rule 5.260, and the self-help steps.
Sometimes. Family Code 3104 requires a preexisting bond and a balance against parental authority, bars a petition while the parents are married unless an exception applies, and presumes against visitation when the parents object. Sections 3102 and 3103 too.
Start with legal parentage. With a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage, file a Petition for Custody and Support (FL-260); without one, a Petition to Determine Parental Relationship (FL-200). The sources and forms.
No. California judges may not consider a parent’s sex in deciding a child’s best interest, and the law sets no preference for joint or sole custody. Family Code 3040, 3011, 3020, 3010 and 3080, quoted.
Open a case and ask for custody in the same filing: a divorce petition, a Petition for Custody and Support (FL-260), or a parentage petition (FL-200), each with FL-105, plus an FL-300 for a hearing date.
A schedule that increases one parent’s time in planned stages. California courts’ forms let you set start and end dates for each part of a schedule. Family Code 3040(e), 3048 and 3011, and form FL-311.
Neither the Family Code nor the provider standard says who pays: the order splits a professional provider’s fees by percentage, and a nonprofessional provider is unpaid. Family Code 3200.5, standard 5.20, and forms FL-311 and FL-341(A), quoted.
With a family law case, file a Request for Order (FL-300) with the FL-311 attachment; without one, open a case and file the FL-300 with the petition. Family Code 3100(a), FL-311-INFO, and the options on FL-311.
No. California has no 50/50 starting point: the law sets no preference for joint or sole custody, and joint physical custody means significant periods with each parent, not equal time. Family Code 3040(e), 3004, 3020 and 3080, quoted.
It depends on your county: each superior court decides by local rule whether to take e-filing, and self-represented parties are exempt from mandatory e-filing. CCP 1010.6, rule 2.253, the self-help page, and Los Angeles as an example.
The unpaid support stays owed with 10 percent interest, can be taken from your paycheck, and can lead to penalties, license and passport holds, and contempt. Family Code 291, 4722, 5230 and 17520, CCP 685.010 and 1218, and 42 U.S.C. 652(k).
Only if your order or local court requires one; the California code sections and court pages we read set no statewide parenting class requirement. Family Code 3190 and 3191, and what the courts’ self-help pages say about classes and online orientation.
The custody sections of the Family Code we read do not use the term; judges weigh which parent is more likely to allow frequent and continuing contact, and can sanction knowingly false abuse accusations. Family Code 3040(a)(1), 3020, 3011 and 3027.1, quoted.
No. Federal tax rules say child support is not deductible by the payer or taxable to the payee, and the custodial parent (more nights) generally claims the child unless they sign Form 8332. IRS Publication 504 and 26 U.S.C. 152(e), quoted.
There is no age at which the child decides; the judge does. The court must weigh a mature child’s wishes, and a child 14 or older who wants to speak must be allowed to unless that is not in the child’s best interest. Family Code 3042 and rule 5.250, quoted.
Usually the child’s home state, where the child lived with a parent for six months in a row before the case was filed; the state that made an order generally keeps it. The UCCJEA in Family Code 3402, 3421, 3422, 3424 and 3426, and form FL-105.
Federal law caps withholding for support at 50 to 65 percent of disposable earnings, depending on whether you support another spouse or child and whether arrears are over 12 weeks old. 15 U.S.C. 1673(b), Family Code 5230 to 5238, CCP 706.052, and form FL-195.
File a probate guardianship petition (GC-210(P), or GC-210 for the estate) in the county where the child lives, give notice to the parents and relatives, and go through a court investigation. Probate Code 1510 and 1514, the forms, and how it differs from custody.
Back child support never expires in California and earns 10 percent interest. You can ask the local child support agency to collect it, or ask a judge to set the amount owed and a monthly payment toward it. Family Code 291, 5100, 5230, 17500 and 17524, CCP 685.010.
Both parents file a current Income and Expense Declaration (or, in some child support cases, the simplified FL-155), the judge or a child support commissioner applies the statewide guideline, may ask you questions, and usually decides that day. Rule 5.260, Family Code 217, 4052, 4055, 4057 and 4251, and form FL-150.
The new guideline formula from SB 343 took effect September 1, 2024. What changed on January 1, 2026 is how a local child support agency sets support when it does not know a parent’s income, and the time to set aside a default order. Family Code 17400, 17430, 17432 and 4055.
A temporary order sets custody while the case is going on, by agreement, after a hearing, or in an emergency; a final order is the custody order in the judgment. Both can be changed later. Family Code 3022, 3060 to 3064 and 3087, form FL-305, and rule 5.151.
The child’s best interest, judged by the factors in Family Code 3011: health, safety, and welfare, any history of abuse, contact with both parents, and habitual drug or alcohol abuse, plus which parent supports contact and the domestic violence presumption. Family Code 3011, 3020, 3040, 3044, quoted.
In California, what counts against a parent is what the custody statutes tell the judge to weigh: safety risks, abuse, habitual substance abuse, blocking the child’s contact with the other parent, and knowingly false abuse accusations. Family Code 3011, 3027.1, 3027.5, 3040 and 3046.
Your custody order controls, and a judge can restrict travel when there is a risk of abduction. For a passport, a child under 16 generally needs both parents to sign or consent. Family Code 3048, Penal Code 278.5, 22 C.F.R. 51.28, and forms DS-3053 and FL-312.
Generally, a judge cannot reduce support that came due before a request to change it was filed. Narrow routes exist: the state’s compromise program for arrears owed to the state, the suspension during incarceration, and proof of payment. Family Code 3651(c), 17560, 4007.5 and 291, and form FL-490.
There is no fixed list. In California the judge may question both parents, and the questions track what the judge has to decide: income and parenting time for support, the best-interest factors for custody. Family Code 217, 3011, 3044 and 4055, and rule 5.113.
In California the custody order still applies until a judge changes it. A judge can weigh a mature child’s wishes when changing custody, order counseling, or order a parent who thwarted the other’s time to pay that parent’s reasonable expenses. Family Code 3042, 3028 and 3190, CCP 1218, and the self-help enforcement page.
In Texas, a child support case can show as filed by the Office of the Attorney General. Here is what that line means and how OAG reviews and modifications get started.
How a history of family violence affects custody (conservatorship) in Texas, what evidence matters, and how protective orders fit in.
How Texas courts handle custody and visitation for babies and infants, including overnights, short frequent visits, and building a schedule as the child grows.
Still on your ex's mortgage after a Texas divorce? Understand the risks of co-signing a loan modification or releasing a judgment lien for a short sale.
What Texas parents need to know when there is no custody order: equal parental rights, refusing informal visits, and how a child support case can set visitation.
How Texas courts handle custody changes when a co-parent's new partner has felonies, what evidence actually matters, and the steps to take.
How Texas parents in an uncontested divorce can agree to below-guideline child support, where the amount goes, and what the judge checks at the prove-up.
You do not have to move out to file for custody or child support in Texas. How unmarried parents can start a case while still sharing a home.
Served with a motion to enforce child support in Texas? Learn what can happen, how to file your answer on time, and what defenses may apply.
Keeping your child past your court-ordered possession time in Texas can backfire. What enforcement looks like, what to do instead, and how to get more time.
Texas child support payments route through the State Disbursement Unit, and new cases often see delays. Learn why payments get stuck and how to track one down.
Modifying a Texas custody order when a teen refuses visitation: supervised visits, the age 12 judge interview, and passport consent when a parent won't sign.
What happens when you miss child support payments in Texas, how job loss affects your order, and how to request a modification before arrears pile up.
What counts as an emergency in Texas custody cases, what evidence courts look for after a parent's mental health crisis, and how emergency orders work.
Texas courts do not have to apply the Standard Possession Order to kids under 3. Learn what schedules judges actually order for infants and toddlers.
Texas child support says the paying parent is ahead or has a credit? Learn what that overpayment means, when support ends, and how to fix an old order.
No custody order in Texas means no enforceable schedule. Learn when to file a SAPCR, what a possession order does, and how child support fits in.
How Illinois courts weigh alcohol and substance abuse in custody and parenting time decisions, including GALs, sober monitoring, and documenting concerns.
How Illinois handles parenting time petitions when paternity is not yet established and a parent is incarcerated, plus what courts weigh for safety.
No custody order in Illinois? Learn how to turn an informal 50/50 schedule into an enforceable parenting plan and protect your parenting time.
What Illinois parents can do when a court orders visitation despite therapist recommendations, including the serious endangerment standard and teen preferences.
Yes, you can represent yourself in an Illinois custody case. Learn how to respond after being served, what judges weigh, and where to get low-cost help.
How Illinois parenting plans can include alcohol safeguards, what a guardian ad litem does, and when a custody schedule can be modified later.
How Illinois child support gets pulled from a new paycheck: who sends the income withholding notice, how to pay the State Disbursement Unit meanwhile, and Cook County tips.
Steps for a sibling or relative seeking custody of an abused child in Florida: guardianship, dependency cases, documenting abuse, and where to start.
How Florida courts handle competing parenting plans and holiday time-sharing disputes, plus what counts as a complete plan and how mediation fits in.
How Florida stepparent adoption works when a biological parent has abandoned the child, including what abandonment means and how consent can be waived.
How Florida parents set school-year vs summer time-sharing and how courts view bedrooms and sleep arrangements, plus practical steps for a parenting plan.
How Florida parental relocation works when one parent wants to move abroad with a child, what a judge weighs, and how the parenting plan changes.
How Florida parents can enforce or modify a parenting plan when a grandparent or relative takes over communication or co-parenting decisions.
How child relocation works in Florida custody cases: the 50-mile rule, the petition process, what judges weigh, and how parents build a strong case.
How to start a custody or visitation case in New York Family Court: Form GF-17, where to file, the filing fee, service of the summons and petition, and when to use a different form.
How New York calculates child support under the Child Support Standards Act, Family Court Act § 413: combined parental income, the 17 to 35 percent figures, the income cap, and add-on expenses.
How to modify a New York custody or visitation order: Form GF-40, the change of circumstances standard, and when Family Court can change a Supreme Court divorce order under Family Court Act § 652.
What to do in New York when the other parent violates a custody or visitation order: the GF-41 enforcement petition, what it asks, and how Family Court handles Supreme Court orders.
How New York courts decide relocation with a child under Matter of Tropea v Tropea (1996): the best interests test, the factors courts weigh, and the preponderance of the evidence standard.
The right to assigned counsel in New York Family Court under Family Court Act § 262, and how attorneys for the child are appointed in custody cases.
How Michigan sets child support with the Michigan Child Support Formula: net income, each parent’s share, the parental time offset for overnights, and when a court can deviate.
What Michigan’s Friend of the Court office does under the Friend of the Court Act: forms, dispute resolution, investigations and recommendations, support reviews, enforcement, and grievances.
How Michigan’s 100-mile rule in MCL 722.31 works: when a parent needs consent or court approval to move a child, the exceptions, the five factors, and the FOC 115 motion.
How to ask a Michigan court to change custody: the proper cause or change of circumstances requirement, the established custodial environment, FOC 87 with the MC 416 UCCJEA Affidavit, and hearing timing.
Michigan options when parenting time is denied: a written complaint to the Friend of the Court, makeup parenting time rules under MCL 552.642, the 56-day window, and civil contempt.
How to object to a Michigan domestic relations referee’s recommended order under MCR 3.215: the 21-day deadline, what the objection must say, service, and the judicial hearing.
How Pennsylvania calculates child support under its statewide guidelines: combined monthly net income, the basic child support schedule, earning capacity, the 40% overnight adjustment, and added expenses.
How to start a custody case in Pennsylvania: the child’s home county, the statewide Complaint for Custody, the order to appear, the Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification, service, and the 45-day first contact.
How to modify a Pennsylvania custody order: the best interest standard in 23 Pa.C.S. § 5338, the Petition for Modification of a Custody Order, what to attach, and consent orders.
How Pennsylvania relocation law works under 23 Pa.C.S. § 5337: when a move is a relocation, the 60-day certified mail notice, the 30-day counter-affidavit, the expedited hearing, and the factors.
The best interest factors Pennsylvania courts use in custody cases under 23 Pa.C.S. § 5328, the weight given to safety, and the rules on gender and protective actions.
How to enforce a Pennsylvania custody order: the petition for civil contempt under Pa.R.Civ.P. 1915.12, service, and the sanctions in 23 Pa.C.S. § 5323(g).
How Ohio calculates child support under R.C. Chapter 3119: the basic child support schedule and worksheet, income shares, potential income, the 10 percent parenting time adjustment, and deviations.
How to ask an Ohio court to change custody: the change in circumstances and best interest standard in R.C. 3109.04(E)(1)(a), the three conditions for changing the residential parent, and uniform Form 27.
What shared parenting means under R.C. 3109.04: filing a request and a shared parenting plan, the 30-day deadline, the factors a court weighs, and how a shared parenting decree changes.
Ohio’s relocation notice rule in R.C. 3109.051(G): when a residential parent must file a notice of intent to relocate, when the other parent gets a copy, and how a move can affect custody.
Ohio options when parenting time is denied: a contempt motion under R.C. 2705.031 on uniform Form 24, mandatory costs and attorney’s fees and compensatory parenting time under R.C. 3109.051(K), and the effect on custody.
How to object to an Ohio magistrate’s decision under Civ.R. 53 and Juv.R. 40: the 14-day deadline, specific objections, the transcript or affidavit requirement, and why objections matter for appeal.
How North Carolina calculates child support under the statewide Child Support Guidelines effective January 1, 2023: both parents’ gross incomes, Worksheets A, B, and C, the 123 and 243 overnight thresholds, and added expenses.
How to start a custody case in North Carolina: home state jurisdiction, the right county, drafting a complaint, the Affidavit as to Status of Minor Child, the civil summons, service, and mediation.
How to change a North Carolina custody order: the changed circumstances requirement in G.S. 50-13.7, the Motion to Modify Custody (AOC-CV-634), mediation, and temporary versus permanent orders.
When North Carolina requires custody mediation under G.S. 50-13.1, how the free statewide program works, what is confidential, and when a judge can waive it.
The best interest and welfare standard in G.S. 50-13.2: what a North Carolina judge must consider, the written findings required, joint custody, and domestic violence.
How North Carolina custody orders are enforced through civil and criminal contempt under Chapter 5A, what civil contempt requires, and the penalties a court can impose.
How New Jersey calculates child support under R. 5:6A and the Appendix IX guidelines: combined weekly net income, the Appendix IX-F schedule, imputed income, parenting time and shared-parenting adjustments, and added expenses.
How to start a custody case in New Jersey: the non-dissolution (FD) kit CN 11492 and its Verified Complaint or Counterclaim, the Confidential Litigant Information Sheet, the consent conference, and custody in a divorce.
How to modify a New Jersey custody order: the FD Application/Cross Application to Modify a Court Order (CN 11487), the FM post-judgment motion packet (CN 10483), deadlines, and the changed circumstances standard.
Relocating out of New Jersey with a child: N.J.S.A. 9:2-2, consent of both parents or a court order on cause shown, and the best interests standard from Bisbing v. Bisbing.
The custody factors in N.J.S.A. 9:2-4 as amended by P.L.2025, c.316: communication, safety, domestic violence and child abuse, the child’s preference, stability, education, and more.
Enforcing a New Jersey custody or parenting time order: relief to a litigant under R. 1:10-3 and the remedies in R. 5:3-7(a) and N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23.3, from compensatory time to modification of custody.
How Georgia calculates child support under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15: both parents’ gross incomes, the basic child support obligation table, the parenting time adjustment, added expenses, deviations, and the low-income adjustment.
How a Georgia custody case starts: divorce with minor children, a legitimation petition with custody claims, or a complaint for change of custody, the superior court, the parenting plan, and the financial affidavit.
How to modify a Georgia custody order: a new proceeding based on a material change in circumstances, the once-in-two-years review of visitation, the child’s election at 14, where to file, and the parenting plan.
What Georgia law requires when a parent with a custody order moves: the 30-day notice of a change of residence under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3(f), and how a move can lead to a modification case.
The best interest factors Georgia judges may consider in custody cases under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3(a)(3), the rules on family violence, and the child’s election at 14.
Why an unmarried father in Georgia needs legitimation before seeking custody or parenting time, where the petition under O.C.G.A. § 19-7-22 is filed, and what the court considers.
How Virginia calculates child support under Va. Code § 20-108.2: combined monthly gross income, the statutory schedule, added health care and child care costs, the 90-day shared custody formula, and when a court can deviate.
How to start a custody or visitation case in a Virginia juvenile and domestic relations district court: venue, the intake office, the verified DC-511 petition, the DC-620 affidavit, the $25 fee, and the summons.
How to modify a Virginia custody or visitation order: the DC-630 Motion to Amend or Review Order, the DC-620 affidavit, and the change in circumstances and best interests test from Keel v. Keel.
What Virginia law requires before moving with a child under a custody order: the 30-day advance written notice in Va. Code § 20-124.5, and how a move is raised through a motion to amend or review the order.
The ten best interests factors Virginia courts must consider in custody and visitation cases under Va. Code § 20-124.3, the rule of no presumption for either parent, and the required findings.
How Virginia courts enforce custody and visitation orders: show cause and contempt under Va. Code § 16.1-292, the DC-635 Motion for Show Cause Summons or Capias, and withheld visitation as a material change under § 20-108.
How Washington calculates child support under the Washington State Child Support Schedule: monthly net income, the economic table, each parent’s proportional share, health care and day care, limits, and deviations.
How to start a parenting plan case in Washington: choosing between a Petition for Divorce, a Petition for a Parenting Plan and/or Child Support, and a Petition to Decide Parentage, plus jurisdiction, service, and the response deadline.
How to change a Washington parenting plan under RCW 26.09.260: the substantial change standard, the grounds for changing the residential schedule, minor modifications, adequate cause, and the FL Modify forms.
How Washington’s child relocation law works: who must give notice, the 60-day notice by personal service or return-receipt mail, the 30-day objection, the presumption favoring relocation, and the factors in RCW 26.09.520.
The factors Washington courts weigh in a parenting plan under RCW 26.09.187: decision-making, the seven residential schedule factors, and the mandatory and discretionary limitations in RCW 26.09.191.
How to enforce a Washington parenting plan: a motion for contempt under RCW 26.09.160, the required make-up time, fees, and civil penalties, and the statewide contempt forms.
These pages are general legal information, not legal advice, and do not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws and local rules vary and change. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed family-law attorney in your state.
Onbello prepares court-ready California family law filings for parents without a lawyer.