Family Law

Adoption is the legal process that creates a recognized parent-child relationship between the adopting adult and the child.

Child custody refers to legal authority and practical arrangements for a child's care, residence, and major decisions after separation or in other family disputes.

Child support is the legal obligation to contribute financially to a child's care, usually under a statute, guideline formula, or court order.

Divorce is the legal process that ends a marriage and addresses related issues such as property, support, and parenting responsibilities.

This section explains marriage, separation, parenting, and household-protection terms that commonly appear in U.S. family-law matters.

Guardianship is a court-recognized legal relationship that gives one person authority to care for another person or that person's affairs.

A prenuptial agreement is a contract made before marriage that sets rules for property, debts, and sometimes support if the marriage later ends.

A protective order is a court order that restricts contact, conduct, or proximity to help protect a person from threats, abuse, or harassment.

Spousal support is money one spouse may be required to pay the other during or after separation based on the governing legal standard.