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Family law basics
Plain-English answers to the concepts and steps that work the same way in any state. Need your state’s specific forms and rules? Pick your state.
Guides that apply anywhere
What is a 2-2-3 custody 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.
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What are the best 50/50 custody schedule options for young kids?
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.
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Does 50/50 Custody Mean No Child Support in an Uncontested Divorce?
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.
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Can You Fight a Request for 50/50 Custody? What Courts Actually Consider
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.
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What does a guardian ad litem do in a custody case?
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.
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Can you modify a custody order, and when?
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.
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What is the grey rock method for co-parenting?
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.
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What is a custody evaluation?
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.
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How do you prepare for your first family court hearing?
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.
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What are your rights as a parent in a custody case?
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.
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How does family court work?
A plain-English walkthrough of how family court works: filing, serving, responses, mediation, hearings, and final orders. Steps and names vary by state.
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What counts as evidence in a family law case?
What counts as evidence in a family law case and how to use it: documents, messages, photos, and witnesses, plus relevance, authenticity, and hearsay.
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How does family court mediation work?
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.
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How do you document your side for a custody case?
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.
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What are common mistakes people make filing custody paperwork?
Common mistakes when filing custody paperwork: wrong forms, missed deadlines, vague parenting plans, and skipping service, plus how to avoid them.
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What Does 'Asking the Court for Orders' Actually Mean?
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.
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What Is the Difference Between Divorce and Legal Separation?
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.
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What Is a Temporary or Emergency Custody Order?
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.
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How Do You Keep a Custody Journal That Actually Helps Your Case?
Learn how a self-represented parent can keep a clear, factual custody journal that supports your case. General info, not legal advice.
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What Happens at a Custody Mediation?
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.
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How Do You Respond When You Are Served With Custody Papers?
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.
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Joint vs Sole Custody: What Is the Difference and How Do Courts Decide?
Learn the difference between joint and sole custody, how legal and physical custody differ, and the general factors courts weigh when deciding.
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How Are Holidays and Summer Break Usually Split Between Parents?
A plain-English look at how parents commonly divide holidays and summer break in a custody schedule, and why the details vary by state.
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What has to be shown to modify a 50/50 parenting plan after only one year?
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.
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How Do I Coparent With a Difficult Ex?
Practical, plain-English strategies for coparenting with a difficult ex, from communication to documentation. General info, not legal advice.
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How Long Does a Child Custody Case Usually Take?
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.
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What documents should I bring to a child support modification hearing?
A plain-English checklist of what to bring to a child support modification hearing, from income proof to your parenting time schedule.
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What Does 'Status Quo' Mean in a Custody Case?
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.
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Do Children Get a Say in Custody?
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.
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What Goes Into a Strong Custody Declaration?
Learn what makes a custody declaration clear, factual, and credible: the key elements, tone, and evidence to include when writing your own.
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What has to be shown to modify a custody or parenting plan?
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.
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What Is Supervised Visitation and When Do Courts Order It?
Learn what supervised visitation means, why family courts sometimes order it, and how it can change over time. General info for self-represented parents.
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What Should You Bring to a Custody Hearing?
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.
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What Should I Do Before My First Meeting With a Family Law Attorney?
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.
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What can I do when my co-parent treats the custody schedule as optional?
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.
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Can My Text Messages and Emails Be Used as Evidence in Family Court?
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.
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What are the options for handling family law paperwork without a lawyer?
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.
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Do I Have to Remind My Co-Parent About Their Custody Time and Holidays?
Whether you must remind a co-parent of their parenting time, how to handle missed holiday exchanges, and how to communicate without escalating conflict.
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What happens if the other parent refuses 50/50 custody, and how do courts decide what is fair?
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.
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Can I Reduce Child Support Arrears If My Child Was Living With Me?
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.
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How do I handle discovery abuse when representing myself in a California custody 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.
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When a Child Support Modification Turns Into a Custody Fight: Do You Push Back or Let It Go?
How to decide whether to fight or settle when a child support adjustment escalates into a custody dispute, plus what documentation actually helps.
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What counts as a change in circumstances for a custody or visitation modification?
How courts decide whether facts show a significant change in circumstances to modify a final custody or visitation order, in plain English.
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Can You Move With Your Child When You Share 50/50 Custody?
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.
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