Modern Family logo
Menu

Book a Consultation Today!

Gray Divorce: A Comprehensive Guide to Divorce After 50

By

Divorce later in life can affect far more than your marital status. Retirement savings, Social Security, healthcare, housing, alimony, estate planning, and decades of shared property may all be part of the conversation. By Craig Valentine Chief Practice Officer, Modern Family Law Updated August 21, 2026 A NOTE FROM CRAIG A Straightforward Place to Start … Continued

Modern Family Law Expands in Georgia with New Alpharetta and Savannah Offices

By

Company NewsPublished August 19, 2026 Modern Family Law in Georgia Modern Family Law now has three family law offices in Georgia: Atlanta, Alpharetta, and Savannah. The new Alpharetta and Savannah locations expand the firm’s existing Atlanta presence and give more Georgia families access to local attorneys for divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, property division, … Continued

Vaccinations and Child Custody: What Happens When Parents Disagree?

By

Medical Decision-Making & Child Custody Vaccinations and Child Custody: What Happens When Parents Disagree? When separated or divorced parents disagree about vaccinating their child, the first question is not simply which parent supports vaccination. It is who has legal authority to make major medical decisions under the parenting plan or custody order. If both parents … Continued

Can Marijuana Use Affect Child Custody?

By

Child Custody & Parenting Safety Can Marijuana Use Affect Child Custody? Yes. Marijuana use can affect a child-custody or parenting-time case when it impairs caregiving, exposes a child to unsafe conditions, violates the law or a court order, or otherwise affects the child’s best interests. Legal use alone is not necessarily enough to restrict a … Continued

Is 50/50 Custody the Standard? Understanding Equal Parenting Time

By

Parenting Time & Child Custody Is 50/50 Custody the Standard? Understanding Equal Parenting Time A 50/50 parenting schedule is not automatically the right—or legally required—arrangement in every custody case. Courts generally focus on the child’s best interests, including safety, stability, developmental needs, school and activity schedules, each parent’s involvement, and whether an equal schedule is … Continued

What Is Alimony? A Guide to Spousal Support

By

Spousal Maintenance (Alimony) What Is Alimony? A Guide to Spousal Support Alimony—also called spousal support or spousal maintenance—is money one spouse may be ordered to pay the other during or after a divorce. It is not automatic. Courts generally look at one spouse’s financial need, the other spouse’s ability to pay, the length and circumstances … Continued

How Long Does a Divorce Take? A Step-by-Step Timeline

By

Divorce Process & Planning How Long Does a Divorce Take? A Step-by-Step Timeline An uncontested divorce may be completed in a few months, while a contested divorce can take a year or longer. The actual timeline depends on the state’s minimum waiting period, whether both spouses agree, the complexity of finances and parenting issues, and … Continued

What Is the Average Child Support Payment in 2026?

By

Updated July 29, 2026 •Based on the latest U.S. Census Bureau child support report •12-minute read The average child support amount due in the United States was approximately $533 per month, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau report. Custodial parents actually received an average of about $342 per month, reflecting both full and partial … Continued

Custody Battle Blunders: Top 10 Mistakes To Avoid

By

Last Updated: July 2026 •Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes The biggest custody battle mistakes are usually avoidable behaviors that create conflict, undermine credibility, or shift attention away from the child’s needs. Ignoring court orders, sending hostile messages, missing parenting time, involving the child in adult disputes, posting about the case online, and arriving unprepared can … Continued

Contempt of Court in Family Law: The Ultimate Guide

By

Last UpdatedJuly 23, 2026 Reviewed ForCurrent U.S. Family-Law Enforcement Landscape Reading Time24 Minutes Contempt of court is the violation of a court's authority or a court order; in family law, it most often involves a parent or former spouse who willfully fails to follow a clear order for child support, parenting time, custody, maintenance, property … Continued

Domestic Partnership: A Complete Guide to Rights, Benefits and State Laws

By

Last Updated July 23, 2026 Reviewed For Current U.S. Federal & State Family Law Reading Time 22 Minutes A domestic partnership is a legally recognized relationship for two unmarried people who share a committed life together. Depending on the jurisdiction or employer, it may provide rights involving health insurance, medical decisions, property, inheritance, leave, or … Continued

Who Claims a Child on Taxes When Parents Share Custody?

By

Updated: July 22, 2026 Current for: 2025 federal tax returns filed in 2026 Estimated reading time: 16 minutes The parent with whom the child lived for more nights during the tax year generally has the first right to claim the child for federal tax purposes. In a 60/40 schedule, that is usually the parent with … Continued

Common Law Marriage States: Which States Recognize It in 2026?

By

Updated: July 22, 2026 Estimated reading time: 16 minutes As of 2026, eight states—Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, and Utah—have a current path for recognizing a new common law marriage. The District of Columbia also recognizes common law marriage. Utah generally requires a court or administrative determination, while New Hampshire has a … Continued

Ghosted During Divorce? What to Do When Your Spouse Will Not Respond

By

Updated: July 22, 2026 Estimated reading time: 15 minutes A spouse generally cannot stop a divorce by ignoring messages, refusing to sign papers, avoiding service, or failing to participate. Once your spouse has been properly served and the response deadline passes, you may be able to request a default and ask the court to move … Continued

If I Make $1,000 a Week, How Much Child Support Will I Pay?

By

Last reviewed: July 2026 • Estimated reading time: 15 minutes • Reviewed by Modern Family Law If you make $1,000 a week, you earn about $4,333 per month or $52,000 per year before taxes. That income alone does not reveal exactly how much child support you will pay. Every state uses its own guidelines, and … Continued

Texas Child Support Laws (2026): Current Guidelines & Income Limits

By

Updated July 22, 2026 15-minute read Reviewed for current Texas law 2026 Texas Child Support Update What Are the Current Texas Child Support Laws? Texas child support guidelines generally apply a percentage to the paying parent's monthly net resources. Since September 1, 2025, the upper monthly net-resource amount subject to the standard guideline calculation has … Continued

What Happens To Property Owned Before Marriage?

By

Last Updated: July 2026 Estimated Reading Time: 16 minutes Property you owned before marriage is generally treated as your separate property, but it is not always completely protected in a divorce. The outcome can change when marital income is used to pay a mortgage, the property increases in value during the marriage, ownership is transferred … Continued

What Can Be Used Against You in a Custody Battle?

By

Last Updated: July 2026 Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes Anything that raises concerns about your child’s safety, stability, or well-being may be used against you in a custody battle. This can include hostile messages, social media activity, substance abuse, criminal conduct, repeated violations of court orders, unsafe living conditions, neglect, or attempts to damage your … Continued