Quick Guide to Utah Family Laws

Where can I find the majority of Utah Family Laws?

You’ll have to visit the revised code under the Utah State Legislature in order to view a complete list of all updated family laws within the state.  Once you begin searching for Utah family law, you’ll want to reference several different chapters depending on your need.  

In this article you’ll find general information about Utah family law about marriage requirements, divorce, adoption, child custody, and other commonly accessed areas of family law.  If you are referencing Utah family laws for legal help, you are highly advised to consult with a family law attorney before proceeding with any settlement process.  

Specific Utah Family Laws

Some general information about sections of Utah family law within several different chapters is listed below: 

Title 30 Chapter 1

This chapter provides prerequisites for a valid marriage, as well as who cannot marry in the state of Utah.  This chapter also contains information on Utah family laws for licenses and other contracts, as well as who is legally allowed to solemnize a marriage.  

Title 30 Chapter 3

This chapter of Utah family law is one of the most frequently accessed chapters under the Utah Legislature.  This specific chapter covers general grounds for divorce (§30-3-1, and other sections cover property division (§30-3-5 to 5.4), methods of payment for spousal support (§30-3-10.5), and much more.  There are multiple other sections of code that may prove helpful in divorce proceedings.

Title 78B Chapter 6

This chapter and specific sections of Utah family law provides general provisions for adoption such as who may adopt a child (§78B-6-115), information about petitions, financial disclosures, investigative procedures from a child-placing agency, and much more.  If you are searching laws for legal advice on adoptions within Utah family law, talk to an attorney right away.

Title 78B Chapter 12

This chapter of Utah family laws provides detailed information about conditions for child support.  The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act is located under 78B-14, and there are many more articles that address conditions for child support and custody—like the Utah Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (78B-13).  For more information about child custody, talk with your family law attorney.  

How to Search Utah Family Law

Consider the follow search techniques while researching Utah family laws.  The searchable database also allows you to search using fuzzy searching (close to the same term) and phonic searching (close in sound) apart from the techniques below:    

1. Stemming- this technique includes adding suffixes onto your search, such as divorces, divorcing, divorced, or more

2. Wildcards- a wildcard allows you to search multiple words using an asterisk, and adopt* will usually bring you to adopted, adoption, adopting, adoptive, adoptable, and more. 

3. Missing variables- you can search for a missing variable with a question mark, and wom?n will bring results associated with woman, women, and more

4. Boolean Operators- you should always consider using and, or, and not to limit your searches as well 

To view the searchable Utah code, click on the link below. 

To view a table of contents, click the link below. 

An Understanding of Maryland Family Law

1. Marriage

2. Civil Unions

3. Domestic Partnerships

4. Spousal Abuse

5. Child Abuse

6. Legitimacy

7. Adoption

8. Surrogacy

9. Child Abduction

10. Divorce

11. Annulment

12. Property Settlements

13. Alimony

14. Parental Rights

15. Child Custody

16. Parenting Time

17. Child Support

18. Paternity

19. Juvenile Adjudication

You have any of these issues in the state of Maryland? You’re dealing with Maryland Family Law. That’s a niche within the legal industry.

You’ll notice that all of these Maryland family laws deal with the family and the home, basically. That’s why they call it Maryland ‘family’ laws.

Marriage Is a Legal Issue?

Yes, it can be. You don’t necessarily even have to get married in a church. You can get married in a courthouse. And there are certain Maryland family laws pertaining to marriage that you would have to know about – such as residency, legal age, witnesses, and valid certificate.

Moreover, there’s the issue of civil unions and domestic partnerships. They’re kind of like marriages, but without some benefits of marriage.

So it’s important to understand what’s involved when it comes to the Maryland Family Law.

Abuse Is a Maryland Family Law Issue?

Sometimes it might cross into the Criminal Law niche, but in general anything involving abuse or even domestic violence remains in the home. That’s the basis for all Maryland family laws.

Therefore it’s under the realm of Maryland Family Law – the reason being that generally there would be no charges filed (until the point that they are filed and then it becomes a criminal case).

Maryland Family Law Also Deals With Divorce

It’s a big deal in a family when a line gets drawn right in the middle, splitting a family in two. It then becomes a tremendous legal issue for several reasons –

1. Who Gets the Property?

2. Who Gets the Children?

3. Who Gets the Money?

The Maryland family laws are designed to make it as smooth as possible. When a family has been so contained, sometimes it can be difficult. The MD Family Law helps facilitate everything that needs to be made legal, made ordered so that there’s no violation (and if there is, the appropriate actions are taken).

Adoption and Surrogacy under MD Family Law

When you think about it, adopting a child isn’t a haphazard thing. You’re basically taking a child as your own. It becomes a legal issue, because you don’t know what the entire situation is.

1. Is the Child an Orphan?

2. Are the Birth Parents Willing?

3. Are You Reputable as an Adopting Parent?

And there are many other concerns that would require the mediation of an attorney in a court of MD Family Law.

The same goes for surrogacy under MD Family Law. A woman carrying a baby for another woman can be an intense and powerful event. Having a contract laid out would benefit both parties.

There are several issues involved in MD Family Law for Surrogacy:

1. Surrogate Parent Taking Fees

2. Surrogate Parent Signing Contract to Hand Over Rights

3. Health Concerns

Juvenile Adjudication

Although juveniles could commit crimes, there are certain cases where they simply endanger themselves – such as suicide attempts, running away, mental disorder, truancy.

This is where Family Law in Maryland steps in to handle the issue appropriately through the use of social services and other resources. Typically the Family Court would pay for such services when the issue can potentially be extreme.

A Rundown on Wisconsin Family Law

Of all legal niches in the industry of law practice, Family Law has to be one of the most comprehensive next to Criminal Law in any state, not just in Wisconsin.

Here are quite a few of the niches in WI Family Law you’ll notice that are prevalent in the state:

1. Child Support

2. Child Custody

3. Parenting Time

4. Alimony

5. Property Distribution

6. Juvenile Adjudication

7. Marriage

8. Adoption

9. Surrogacy

10. Domestic Violence

11. Child Abuse

12. Spousal Abuse

These are all niches falling under the realm of WI Family Law, plain and simple. That means if any family living anywhere in Wisconsin deals with any of these issues, it would be crucial to obtain a successful WI Family Law attorney.

Before doing that, though, it would be important to know some of what the WI Family Law entails for each of these legal niches, starting with….

Child Support Under WI Family Law

Wisconsin Family Law deals with child support on what’s considered a Percentage of Income formula. That simply means the non-custodial parent required to pay child support will have a percentage of income designated for that child support under such Wisconsin Family Law.

Certain states follow the same model while others follow what’s called the Income Shares Model.

Child Custody Under Wisconsin Family Laws

When it comes to Wisconsin Family Law, child custody is based on several factors:

1. Sole Physical Custody

2. Sole Legal Custody

3. Joint Physical Custody

4. Joint Legal Custody

The situation can determine whether or not any sole custody or joint custody is decided. Life situations, evidence of abuse, and other such factors can play a role.

Parenting Time Under Wisconsin Family Laws

Ultimately, a court under Wisconsin Family Law would expect two parents to decide on a suitable parenting time agreement; but if there can be no agreement, ultimately the court will lay the decision down for both parents in the best interest of the child(ren).

Alimony Under Wisconsin Family Laws

Unlike child support, alimony under Wisconsin family laws is something typically decided among both parents but cannot be enforced by the court as a response to a petition from the receiving ex-spouse. It can be brought to the attention to the court with some consequence (no fines or jail time), but not to the extent of child support matters.

Property Distribution Under Wisconsin Family Laws

Few states, including Wisconsin, consider the basis of “community property” as the model for property distribution when it comes to divorce in Family Law. That basis simply states that all property be divided equally without regard to value of property.

Juvenile Adjudication

Wisconsin does follow a national standard for juvenile adjudication, which is simply a court’s stance to hold a juvenile as a “ward” in the event of delinquent behavior or lack of guardianship. An example would be when a child runs away from home. In a way, it seems to be similar to a prosecution of Criminal Law, but the bottom line is the rights of children come first and foremost.

Marriage

Yes, even marriage laws do exist in Wisconsin, such as the mandate for marriage licensing, age limit, requirements for annulments, divorce, and even common law marriages (which don’t exist in Wisconsin). By law, you may even proceed with a marriage in the courthouse of any county, given that the law of marriage is actually a legal matter.

Adoption

Statutes for adoption also exist in Wisconsin to regulate the necessity of background check and legal approval process between both birth parents and adopting parents. Those statutes generally exist anywhere in the country as a whole.

Surrogacy

Obviously, the same goes for surrogacy in Wisconsin in terms of law – a process, regulations, contract. Those laws, though, reside fully within the federal government. There are no specific state laws to keep in mind in Wisconsin.

Domestic Violence

Common statutes regarding restraining orders and injunctions exist in the state of Wisconsin, among many other legal actions taken that can carry over into Criminal Law.

Child Abuse

As in any state, many times the subject of child abuse not only overlaps with the realm of Criminal Law, but also can fall under the subject of Juvenile Adjudication where the court observes the rights of the child in the matter.

Spousal Abuse

As a legal issue within Divorce Law, spousal abuse generally can be considered a form of grounds for divorce that can affect many aspects of a divorce petition, such as parenting time, alimony, and child custody.

What You Need to Know About Minnesota Family Laws

There are plenty of legal niches out there for the industry:

1. Personal Injury Law

2. Bankruptcy Law

3. Finance Law

4. Labor Law

5. Intellectual Property Law

6. Probate Law

7. Estate Planning Law

8. Criminal Law

And then, of course, there’s MN “Family Law,” probably the most comprehensive niche out there next to Criminal Law.

This is about Minnesota and what you can expect, though. If you have any of these following issues, Minnesota Family Law would be your way to go:

1. Divorce Issues

2. Marriage Requirements

3. Adoption Procedure

4. Surrogacy Options

5. Juvenile Adjudication

6. Child Abuse

7. Domestic Violence

8. Annulments of Marriage

Too many to count, actually. So know your legal issue in regards to MN Family Law, whatever it may be….

If Your Minnesota Family Law Issue Is Divorce….

Recognize that you might be dealing with one or more of these legal issues under MN Family Law:

1. Property Distribution

2. Child Support

3. Child Custody

4. Alimony

5. Parenting Time

One key point here: if you have only one of these specific issues under Minnesota Family Law, it’s crucial that you find an attorney specializing in that particular issue. If it’s a child custody matter, seek a custody attorney. And so on and so forth.

The Concept of Marriage as a Legal Institution Under MN Family Law

The fact is Minnesota Family Law regards marriage as a legal matter because you’re entering into a contract. A legal contract. By MN Family Law, you could get married in a courthouse with the appropriate paperwork filed.

By law, this is what you would need for a valid marriage under Minnesota Family Law:

1. A Marriage License

2. Witnesses

3. Justice of a Peace/Ordained Person

You also have to be of age, and the marriage has to be valid according to MN Family Law (valid divorce decree from a prior marriage or proof of being unmarried).

So by all means, the concept of marriage is a legal institution and falls in line with what Minnesota family laws are all about.

Adoption and How It Plays a Role in the Minnesota Family Laws

It’s a legal process in that it’s the transfer of parental rights, basically.

Besides the fact that a birth parent consents to an adoption – effectively handing over all legal rights, parental rights, everything – even adoptions involving wards of the court involve legal matters.

Through a process and approval according to Minnesota family laws, a prospective adopting parent can file for adoption of a child and go through the motions of transferring all rights held by the state into the hands of that adopting parent.

To do that requires due process of law. It’s a legal process under Minnesota family laws.

You can easily find family law firms in regards to that for the purpose of finding a lawyer specializing in Adoption Law.

Those Are a Few Examples

As you can see, of course, there are many more. Whatever your issue may be, if you know that it can fall under those specific sub-niches, you’ll know exactly what to look for: family law firms.

Simply do the process of finding a good shortlist of family attorneys specializing in your case and go from there.

Understanding Colorado Family Law

When it comes to the CO Family Law niche in the legal industry, there are numerous issues the niche contends to:

1. Divorce

2. Marriage

3. Adoption

4. Surrogacy

5. Juvenile Adjudication

6. Guardianship

7. Domestic Violence

And even these sub-niches of Colorado Family Law involve certain specific situations as well, such as:

For Divorce:

1. Child Support

2. Child Custody

3. Parenting Time

4. Property Distribution

5. Alimony

For Adoption:

1. Stepparent Adoption

2. Temporary Adoption

3. Overseas Adoption

4. Permanent Adoption

For Juvenile Adjudication

1. Child Abuse

2. Domestic Violence

3. Runaway

4. Delinquency

Yes, it’s a massive niche. A lot is handled when involving CO Family Law.

More Details on Divorce Law under CO Family Law

In Colorado, there are specific rules when filing for a petition. Residency is a must. The correct grounds in Colorado – a marriage that is irretrievably broken – has to be met in the petition.

Property distribution is generally decided on an equitable distribution standard where property is “fairly” divided between both parties without regard to value of property. Alimony is also determined both by the parties involved and the court system.

Marriage Under CO Family Law

Colorado Family Law even deals with the concept of marriage! It is, after all, a legal contract in the state of Colorado. Any two people can actually have a ‘wedding’ right in the courthouse if they so choose, because in marriage there are Colorado family laws to follow:

1. A Valid Marriage License

2. Witnesses

3. Ordained Person

4. Legal Age

Adoption Under CO Family Law

This is a massively complex niche. The fact is all of these sub-niches require the professionalism of a quality Colorado family law attorney.

Typically, a home study is established along with a screening process and interview. It could take anywhere between weeks to even years to finalize an adoption. Hiring an adoption attorney would be advisable.

Surrogacy Under Colorado Family Laws

It’s sometimes called Reproductive Law under the Colorado family laws, but there are definitions here that would serve anyone considering surrogacy. There are two types Colorado recognizes:

1. Traditional Surrogacy

2. Gestational Surrogacy

Traditional is pretty basic. It’s about artificial insemination where a woman utilizes her own eggs and has one fertilized by a man’s sperm outside of sexual intercourse.

Gestational, though, can be a much larger legal matter, as it generally involves the harvesting of eggs and then a fertilization of one egg into another woman’s uterus, hence making that woman the carrier of the embryo for the actual mother of the child.

A legal contract under Colorado family laws does have to be written up in the sense that the carrier must not lay claim to the child about to be born, even though the carrier is the one bringing the baby into the world. Parental rights are specifically stated in Colorado family laws so that everything is clear.

Guardianship, Domestic Violence, and Juvenile Adjudication Under Colorado Family Law

These can overlap from time to time, because it centers around the importance of fostering some protection over the children in Colorado. Children who are either:

1. Orphans

2. Abused

3. Delinquents

The court mandates guardianship solely on the grounds that any given child for a certain case must be protected in terms of legal and physical custody. This actually falls in line with adoption laws as well. Domestic violence, of course, plays a role, because a child may be removed from a home with such violence for the purpose of protecting the child; and then the state holds custody of that child as a “ward.”

Where are Indiana family laws located?

You will find Indiana family law in the Indiana Code, Title 31, Article 9.  As definitions, provisions and other items of note will be found there and you will refer to this Title whenever you deal with IN family law and lawyers.

What are some things I should know before adopting a child, under Indiana family laws?

Indiana family law defines abandoned children as those that are left with an EMS provider for 45 days without the intent to return for the child.  All infants less than a year old left in a dangerous location, abandoned or at a medical facility are considered abandoned as well.  Generally, the parents of the child have little recourse to reclaim custody or other parental rights under Indiana family law.  if you are adopting a child under Indiana family laws, you might want to ensure that the parents that abandoned their child will not have the legal grounds to regain custody and rights and you will work with a IN family law lawyer to ensure that this is not an issue in the adoption process.

In a divorce matter how does IN family law apply to child support?

The state enforcement of child support withholding and payment will be through the Child Support Bureau, which is a division of the state Attorney General.  The CSB will track down those evading existing obligations and will also initiate cases against those that evade their child support obligation for a low $25 fee.  Tracking down those that owe a child support obligation under Indiana family law is generally free and covered as a service to state residents.

If I am going through a divorce, how do I keep custody, according to IN family law?

Indiana family laws state that children over the age of 14 will be have substantial say in which parent will receive full custody.  For all younger than that, Indiana family laws will consider the sex and age of the child, arguments for custody made by both parents and the environment of the child, including school and home.

Representation for an Indiana family law issue

Lawyers specializing in Indiana family laws are able to deal with a number of relevant legal matters, including but not limited to adoption, divorce and custody.  You might have to find an attorney that is an expert at the specific aspect IN family law and will be able to represent you adequately.  In some IN family law issues where the is definite fault on one of the parties leading to the Indiana family laws dispute, then state law allows you to collect the cost of legal fees from the other party.

Can alimony be ordered under IN family law?

There are provisions for alimony under Indiana family laws.  This includes temporary alimony that might be ordered by the judge in a divorce case to support the needy spouse in the interim.  All other provisions for alimony will be subject to the determination of the court and the terms of the divorce.

TN family law matters almost always necessitate an experienced and reliable attorney that will be able to assess all claims to be made in family court, as well as supporting documents and the ultimate goals of taking legal action.  While you might be hesitant to involve an attorney in a Tennessee family law matter, it is in your best interests to take consultation with attorneys and determine the extent and limitations of the Tennessee family laws case you intend to make.  Note that the other parties in the TN family law matter will typically introduce an attorney of their own and you will ultimately benefit from the legal advice provided on Tennessee family laws.

TN family law and adoption matters

There is always a benefit in involve an attorney in an adoption matter.  Though you will be working with an adoption agency, an attorney giving the documentation in question a cursory look will ensure that the process can be facilitated without any issues from birth parents, the suitability of your home for adoption and other ambiguous language that might threaten your right to custody.  Tennessee family law can only go so far in protecting your right to adopt and having an adoption attorney on your side to help navigate TN family law is important to ensure that you understand the process in its entirety.

TN family law and divorce

Since Tennessee is a state with contested divorce, a number of TN family law divorce cases will involve accusations of wrongdoing from both parties to the divorce.  This is unfortunate, but the TN family law attorney is essential in protecting your good name, countering the accusations for grounds to divorce and helping to facilitate child custody, support, alimony and division of property arrangements.

There are, of course, alternatives to conventional divorce, the most common being an uncontested divorce, which is allowed under Tennessee family law.  Each party might have an attorney or a single attorney can serve as legal advisor for the arrangements to be made, such as a marriage dissolution agreement under Tennessee family law.  All dissolution and other agreements can be facilitated by an Tennessee family laws attorney and this will save you substantial amounts on legal fees, as well as uncomplicated your Tennessee family law matter.

Finding a Tennessee family laws lawyer

You will not be able to use a statewide lawyer referral service sponsored by the state bar, as you would in other states.  Rather, there are a number of county and regional lawyer referral services that you may use, as long as your research them well, including determining the cost, obligation and other fees involved with the service to find Tennessee family laws lawyers.

When dealing with any Tennessee family law matter, you need to work with the attorney to understand the risks of taking legal action, the limits of your case and the reasonable expectation you can have for the outcome of your legal matter.

All Tennessee family law matters will proceed in the nearest family court and working with your Tennessee family laws attorney from filing to the decision and appeal is highly advisable to ensure that you are organized and able to keep informed on your case related to Tennessee family laws.

Nearly all Arizona family laws issues can be handled with the assistance of Arizona family law attorneys.  Having the AZ family law attorney working on your behalf will help you to determine appropriate legal strategy in family court, adequately represent you in your family law matter and most importantly, advise you on the merits of any case that might involve Arizona family law.  Arizona family law is a diverse legal topic with a number of potential cases, so use this guide to find an attorney that works with the Arizona family laws applicable to your legal matter.

Adoption cases and Arizona family laws

You will work with an adoption agency as well as Arizona Department of Economic Security to facilitate your adoption of a child in Arizona.  Arizona family law attorneys specializing in adoption law will help you to fill out the paperwork, comply with requests from the adoption agency and ensure all steps of the process are done thoroughly in compliance with Arizona family law.  Issues to be concerned with during the adoption process include the rights of the birth parents, the limitations on custody and if there is a sibling paring or other limitation on the adoption under Arizona family laws.  you must adhere to the process and Arizona family law in order for the adoption to be successful and there are no shortcuts to circumvent the process.

Arizona family laws and divorce

If dealing with a divorce issue, Arizona family law attorneys specializing in divorce will assist you in creating an appropriate legal strategy, determining your best possible case, possible limitations and arguments to win custody or alimony.  Arizona family law attorneys will be involved in a number of family court issues and even if you intend to settle amicably, you will want to consult with Arizona family laws attorneys for more information on your legal options.

Arizona family law and juvenile delinquency

If there is a minor involved in a delinquency issue, you will work with the Arizona family law attorney to either deal with the prosecution office in and out of family court.  The Arizona family law will be instrumental in demonstrating the innocence or need for leniency for the actions of the minor.  There is typically a focus on alternative sentencing for juvenile offenders and the Arizona family law attorney will be instrumental in forcing this determination in the favor of the child.

Working with AZ family law attorneys

If you must work with AZ family law attorneys, then it is important to practice full disclosure, noting all parts of your AZ family law issue, including things that might not reflect well on you and your AZ family law case.  Being open and honest with the AZ family law attorney will prevent miscommunication, weakening your case and other AZ family law issues that tend to arise.

What to Know about Delaware Family Law

What is Delaware Family Law?

Delaware Family Law collects all statutes with importance to the American family, ranging from criminal investigations to administrative law. Some individuals are confused by the concept of Delaware Family Law, and indeed it can be somewhat nebulous, including several different areas of law. Thankfully, in Delaware, Family Law is somewhat more specific, not including probate which is sometimes included. 

What types of cases are included in Delaware Family Law?

• Adoption—Even though adopting a child in need is one of the most noble actions a person can take, Delaware Family Law doesn’t make it easy. That’s why individuals who are considering adoption should hire an attorney right aware and petition for legal recognition of their parental rights in a Delaware Family Law Court.

• Child Support—According to Delaware Family Law, child support is decided upon according to a Delaware Child Support Calculator. This calculation is based on the amount a child spend’ with each parent and the income of each parent, among other factors. Delaware Family Law makes it almost impossible to challenge a calculation. However, you can petition for a change to your Child Support Order if your relative incomes have changed.

• Custody—Child custody is usually decided first in a legal separation, and Delaware Family Law emphasizes a child spending time with both parents. Just as with most states, the typical result for qualified parents in Delaware Family Law is the father spending one weeknight and every other weekend with the child and the mother having custody at all other times. Of course, there are many, many exceptions to this in the annals of Delaware Family Law.

• Criminal—There are two situations in which Delaware Family Law has jurisdiction when it comes to criminal cases. The first is domestic violence, which you can read more about below, and the second is when the defendant in a case is a juvenile. Juvenile defendants are somewhat unique, with special concerns as opposed to adult defendants. Delaware Family Law helps defendants to stay in school whenever possible, and stresses reform and not punishment when it isn’t possible.

• Divorce—Not only is divorce the most popular reason to step into a Delaware Family Law Court, but it is one of the most common reasons to step into any courts at all. Most divorces are uncontested, with spouses agreeing on how to divide their property. Contested divorces and bitter arguing between Delaware Family Lawyers raises prices incredibly high for this legal action.

• Domestic Abuse—Victims of Domestic Abuse can get an Order of Protection from Abuse, which is a document from the Delaware Family Law Court stating that the abuser must legally stay away from the abused.

• Guardianship—Guardianship comes in several different guises in Delaware Family Law. For most, it means taking legal rights over a child under eighteen. However, you can also request a Standby Guardianship which enables a person suffering from a chronic illness to arrange for custody of their child after their death.

Frequently Asked Questions about Alaska Family Law

What is Alaska family law?

The state government’s involvement in the life of the typical family is described in the category of law deemed Alaska family law. Most aspects of Alaska family law involve the protection of children, but the most popular area has to do with establishing who belongs to a family, i.e. who is married or divorced.

It is easy to find an Alaska family lawyer given the popularity of the field, but such an attorney must have a very diverse background. Since Alaska family law contains criminal matters, civil matters, and even probate matters, a true attorney in the field will be a consummate expert across the whole legal spectrum.

What different areas of Alaska family law exist?

Since Alaska family law is such a wide-ranging field, the best way to understand its dimensions might be to look at some of the specific areas of practice which it contains. For example, all of the following, any many more, are considered aspects of Alaska family law:

• Divorce: It is easy to understand the need of divorce attorneys. Not only is this perhaps the field of law an individual is most likely to get involved in, but divorce is also incredibly difficult and involved. A contested divorce involves discussions concerning the division of property and debt as well as a parenting plan and child support. And that’s not even mentioning the possibility of alimony, an always contentious subject. That said, even uncontested divorce can be an important area of concern, since it will still require numerous complicated legal forms and an appearance before a judge.

• Support Orders: The problem with support orders is that they don’t necessarily reflect a change of circumstances. Let’s say you’ve lost your $100,000 a year job and were forced to take a new one for $50,000 a year. The support order won’t automatically decrease, even if it’s simply impossible for you to provide to the standard that you did before. That’s why support order petitions are one of the most important types of Alaska family law actions.

• Parenting Plans: Just like with support orders, parenting plans don’t adjust automatically to a change in circumstances. The most common reason for a parenting plan to change is that one parent has moved out of state, thus making weekday visits or possibly every-other-weekend visits impractical.

• Domestic Violence: Alaska family law offers significant means for victims of domestic violence to protect themselves. First, a temporary order of protection can be obtained, which will take effect as soon as the abuser is notified of it. Of course, Alaska family law also allows for abusers to be tried in court in both civil and criminal courts.

• Guardianships and Conservatorships: These makes it possible for individuals who are not of able mind to have their healthcare or financial decisions made by a loved one who can act with their best interests at heart. Becoming a guardian or conservator will require proving that such a position is needed, and no reasonable conflict of interest in appointing this particular figure exists.