Legal Issues for the Single Parent
Assistance for single parents navigating the legal system.
Why Can't I Withhold Visitation for Unpaid Child Support?
Many parents wonder whether unpaid child support is legitimate grounds for withholding visitation. Before you withhold visitation, though, consider the negative impact this action could have on you in court.
Many parents wonder whether unpaid child support is legitimate grounds for withholding visitation. Before you withhold visitation, though, consider the negative impact this action could have on you in court.
Establish Temporary Guardianship
There may be times when you need to turn over the care of your children to another adult for a period of time. For example, you may need to go out of town or establish temporary guardianship while you're recovering from surgery. Find out how to set up temporary guardianship and protect your children while they're in the care of another trusted adult.
There may be times when you need to turn over the care of your children to another adult for a period of time. For example, you may need to go out of town or establish temporary guardianship while you're recovering from surgery. Find out how to set up temporary guardianship and protect your children while they're in the care of another trusted adult.
Choose a Legal Guardian for Your Children
Choose a legal guardian for your children in order to ensure that they will be properly cared for, in the event that you should ever be incapacitated or die before they turn 18. Includes specific steps for making tough decisions as you choose a legal guardian for your children.
Choose a legal guardian for your children in order to ensure that they will be properly cared for, in the event that you should ever be incapacitated or die before they turn 18. Includes specific steps for making tough decisions as you choose a legal guardian for your children.
What Constitutes Proof of Paternity
Proof of paternity is a necessary part of applying for child support. However, what constitutes proof of paternity? Find out what documents to bring with you when you apply for child support.
Proof of paternity is a necessary part of applying for child support. However, what constitutes proof of paternity? Find out what documents to bring with you when you apply for child support.
Making Visitation Transfer Easier
Visitation transfer does not always go smoothly. That's why you need to be prepared ahead of time for a visitation drop offs and pick ups, including communicating with the other parent in advance about who will be responsible for transportation to and from the visit. In addition, consider using a neutral drop off location to make visitation transfer easier on all of you.
Visitation transfer does not always go smoothly. That's why you need to be prepared ahead of time for a visitation drop offs and pick ups, including communicating with the other parent in advance about who will be responsible for transportation to and from the visit. In addition, consider using a neutral drop off location to make visitation transfer easier on all of you.
How Much Income Can the Government Withhold to Pay Child Support?
How much income can the government withhold to pay child support? Find out what federal limits apply when withholding income to pay for child support.
How much income can the government withhold to pay child support? Find out what federal limits apply when withholding income to pay for child support.
Establish Paternity
To establish paternity is the first step toward establishing a child support order. But there is more to it than just child support. Find out why and how to establish paternity.
To establish paternity is the first step toward establishing a child support order. But there is more to it than just child support. Find out why and how to establish paternity.
Father's Rights Organizations
There are many organizations around the country that focus on supporting and maintaining father's rights, both in family courts and through legislative action. Find father's rights organizations and non-profits.
There are many organizations around the country that focus on supporting and maintaining father's rights, both in family courts and through legislative action. Find father's rights organizations and non-profits.
The Child Support Protection Act of 2007
Funding for state-run child support enforcement offices was cut by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Find out how you can help restore child support funding by supporting the Child Support Protection Act of 2007.
Funding for state-run child support enforcement offices was cut by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Find out how you can help restore child support funding by supporting the Child Support Protection Act of 2007.
Child Support Calculators
Use an accurate child support calculator to determine the correct amount of child support that is owed. Includes links to each state's own online child support calculator where appropriate.
Use an accurate child support calculator to determine the correct amount of child support that is owed. Includes links to each state's own online child support calculator where appropriate.
What Factors Are Used to Determine Child Custody and Visitation
What exactly does it mean that the courts will consider "the best interests of the child" when determining custody and visitation? While the specific criteria used to determine child custody varies with each state, there are some general factors you can expect any judge to consider when determining custody.
What exactly does it mean that the courts will consider "the best interests of the child" when determining custody and visitation? While the specific criteria used to determine child custody varies with each state, there are some general factors you can expect any judge to consider when determining custody.
Reasons to Use Mediation
Consider mediation as an alternative to an adversarial divorce, which can be extremely difficult for children. A professional mediator will guide you through the steps of developing a parenting plan and working collaboratively with your ex. In addition the the personal benefits for you and your children, mediation usually costs less than going to court.
Consider mediation as an alternative to an adversarial divorce, which can be extremely difficult for children. A professional mediator will guide you through the steps of developing a parenting plan and working collaboratively with your ex. In addition the the personal benefits for you and your children, mediation usually costs less than going to court.
Parental Alienation Syndrome
What exactly is Parental Alienation Syndrome, and what should you do it you suspect your ex is turning your child against you? Includes specific examples of PAS behaviors.
What exactly is Parental Alienation Syndrome, and what should you do it you suspect your ex is turning your child against you? Includes specific examples of PAS behaviors.
Penalizing Parents Who Don't Pay Child Support
What are the consequences for parents who don't pay child support? And what can do you when child support payments stop coming? Includes links to child support resources in your area.
What are the consequences for parents who don't pay child support? And what can do you when child support payments stop coming? Includes links to child support resources in your area.
Child Custody Laws in the United States
Each state has different laws related to child custody. Find the child custody laws for all 50 states and learn whether or not your state presumes joint custody.
Each state has different laws related to child custody. Find the child custody laws for all 50 states and learn whether or not your state presumes joint custody.
Who Gets Custody When Birth Certificate Lists Only One Parent's Name?
Many single mothers who were never married wonder whether their name on the child's birth certificate is enough to constitute sole custody. Find out whether your states gives unwed mothers presumed initial custody and learn how you can access local statutes related to child custody laws for unwed parents and children born out of wedlock.
Many single mothers who were never married wonder whether their name on the child's birth certificate is enough to constitute sole custody. Find out whether your states gives unwed mothers presumed initial custody and learn how you can access local statutes related to child custody laws for unwed parents and children born out of wedlock.
Use an Independent Child Support Collection Service
There are several independent child support collection agencies out there that claim to help parents collect unpaid child support. However, in most cases, they can't really do any more for you than your local Office of Child Support Enforcement. Find out what questions you should ask before you use an independent child support collection service.
There are several independent child support collection agencies out there that claim to help parents collect unpaid child support. However, in most cases, they can't really do any more for you than your local Office of Child Support Enforcement. Find out what questions you should ask before you use an independent child support collection service.
Federal Child Support Enforcement
Explanation of federal child support enforcement programs available to single parents. Includes links to each state's Office of Child Support Enforcement.
Explanation of federal child support enforcement programs available to single parents. Includes links to each state's Office of Child Support Enforcement.
Glossary of Terms, Abbreviations, and Acronyms for Single Parents
This glossary for single parents is designed to help you understand the legal terminology, acronyms, and general vocabulary relevant to single parenting.
This glossary for single parents is designed to help you understand the legal terminology, acronyms, and general vocabulary relevant to single parenting.
Who is the Average Single Parent?
Would you be surprised to know that the average single parent is a lot like yourself? Find out what the current figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau tell us about the profile of the average single parent.
Would you be surprised to know that the average single parent is a lot like yourself? Find out what the current figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau tell us about the profile of the average single parent.
The Shared Parenting Initiative
More and more, shared parenting is being recognized by the courts as a custody option that should be given considerable weight. Learn some of the legal background to recent shared parenting initiatives, and find out the pros and cons of this custody option.
More and more, shared parenting is being recognized by the courts as a custody option that should be given considerable weight. Learn some of the legal background to recent shared parenting initiatives, and find out the pros and cons of this custody option.
Finding a Lawyer Online
When you need to hire a family law attorney, where do you begin? Learn how to search for and find qualified lawyers online. Includes resources available through the American Bar Association.
When you need to hire a family law attorney, where do you begin? Learn how to search for and find qualified lawyers online. Includes resources available through the American Bar Association.
Ways to Be Prepared For a Child Custody Evaluation
The child custody evaluation process is nerve-wracking for any parent. Make sure you are thoroughly prepared for your custody evaluation. Find out what to do before the evaluation, and how to respond to the questions asked by the evaluator.
The child custody evaluation process is nerve-wracking for any parent. Make sure you are thoroughly prepared for your custody evaluation. Find out what to do before the evaluation, and how to respond to the questions asked by the evaluator.
Types of Child Custody Options
There is a distinction between legal custody and physical custody. Understand the terms and your options before you begin working out a parenting plan during a divorce or separation. Learn what is meant by terms like "joint legal custody" and "shared physical custody."
There is a distinction between legal custody and physical custody. Understand the terms and your options before you begin working out a parenting plan during a divorce or separation. Learn what is meant by terms like "joint legal custody" and "shared physical custody."
Finding Local Child Support Resources in Your State
Under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, the U.S. government established the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE). However, the title of each state's OSCE office varies. Find out how to access both federal and local child custody resources in your state.
Under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, the U.S. government established the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE). However, the title of each state's OSCE office varies. Find out how to access both federal and local child custody resources in your state.
How Can I Obtain Copies of My Child's School Records?
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents have the right to access their children's school records. Find out how non-custodial parents can access school records, and learn your rights under the law. Includes links to federal sites as well.
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents have the right to access their children's school records. Find out how non-custodial parents can access school records, and learn your rights under the law. Includes links to federal sites as well.