E.A. Gjelten

Legal Editor

E.A. (Liz) Gjelten has been a legal editor at Nolo since 2016. She enjoys using her research, analytical, and writing skills to translate complex legal issues into jargon-free language that’s accessible to lay readers without compromising accuracy.

Legal background. Before coming to Nolo, Liz worked for 12 years as a legal author for Thomson Reuters, writing about new legal developments in family law and workers’ compensation for Westlaw and print publications. She also researched and wrote the annual roundup of new California legislation for a monthly family law journal. Before that, Liz worked for 15 years as an author, legal editor, and managing editor for California Family Law Report, a small legal publishing company.

Working at Nolo. Since 2021, Liz has worked as the legal editor for family law and divorce, drawing on her years of experience researching, writing, and editing in that area. Before that, Liz was a special projects editor, writing articles on a range of topics, including workers’ compensation, civil rights, and animal law.

Other pursuits. Liz has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. She is a produced playwright and has taught at San Francisco State University and New College of California. She’s also worked as a freelance book editor, journalist, and grant writer.


Articles By E.A. Gjelten

Do Grandparents Have Visitation Rights in Washington?
If you're a grandparent who's being kept away from your grandkids, can you ask a judge to order the parents to let you see them? The answer depends on whether you can meet Washington's strict requirements for court-ordered grandparent visitation.
How Do I File for Divorce in South Carolina?
Learn about the forms and procedures for getting a divorce in South Carolina, how to qualify for a "simple divorce," and how to get help.
Guide to Divorce in New York
Get started with an overview of the basic laws and processes in a New York Divorce.
Child Support in Illinois
If you’re the parent of a minor child in Illinois, it’s not a question of whether you’re responsible for child support—it’s simply a matter of how much you’ll owe.
Joint Child Custody: Do the Advantages Outweigh the Disadvantages?
Learn about the pros and cons of joint child custody, when it might—or might not—be the best choice for you and your children, and how to make shared parenting work.
Divorce Rate Myths & More: 5 Key Findings From the Statistics
Statistics about divorce in the U.S. can be confusing if not contradictory, but you can begin to make sense of them here.
How Domestic Violence Affects Child Custody in Colorado
Learn how judges in Colorado deal with claims of domestic violence in custody cases—and the restrictions they might place on an abuser's parenting time with a child.
A Guide to Different Types of Separation: Trial, Permanent, and Legal Separation
Learn about the different kinds of separation, what they mean, and how they affect your legal rights.
Child Support Enforcement in South Carolina
Learn how to get help collecting child support in South Carolina, and what can happen to parents who don't pay court-ordered support.
Remarriage and Child Support South Carolina
Learn whether you can change the amount of child support you’re paying or receiving in South Carolina after you or your ex has remarried.