Walk It Through: The End Of A Marriage
A year apart, the house and the retirement account, and where the children live.
A couple married for a long time separate, and one of them wants a divorce without blaming anyone.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One marriage ending. Alimony amounts, child support guidelines, relocation, military retirement and settlement agreements in detail are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- DwellingIn the self defense article, a building or conveyance of any kind with a roof, including an attached porch and a tent, designed to be occupied by people lodging there at night, temporary or permanent, mobile or immobile.
- Marital propertyEverything acquired during the marriage and owned when the case is filed, however title is held, divided equitably by the family court.
- Domestic violenceCausing physical harm or injury to one's own household member, or offering or attempting to with apparent present ability under circumstances reasonably creating fear of imminent peril, graded in degrees.
- MinorA person under the age of eighteen, which is what every reference to minors in the state's laws means, except in the laws on selling alcoholic beverages.
- Parenting planThe plan each parent files at a contested custody hearing, setting out parenting time and major decisions on education, health care, activities and religious training.