If you're facing a divorce, sooner or later you'll meet the judge in court. How much interaction you have with him or her depends on how well you can work out the details of your break up.
If you and your spouse are able to come to an agreement on child custody, property division, family support, and all the other details, the judge need only approve your final agreement. If you cannot, then the judge will be making those decisions for you.
In this section, you'll find information and insights on divorce from a judge who presided over thousands of divorce cases for twenty years.
Need a lawyer? Start here.
Advantages to the Divorce Alternatives
Take it from the Judge. Mediation or collaborative divorce options will save you time, money and maybe your sanity.
Divorce Court isn't Always Fair
A divorce court judge explains why spouses may not think decisions made in court are "fair".
If You Have to Go To Divorce Court
If you and your spouse can't settle your divorce out of court, this judge has a few tips on how to handle yourself.
Some tips from the judge on hiring an attorney to handle some or all of your divorce case.
How the Law (and the Judge) Divides Property During Divorce
Find out how state law determines division of property during divorce, and when the judge can deviate from the "rules".
Who Decides on Child Custody and Visitation: You or the Judge?
Take it from the judge. You and your spouse are in a much better position to decide on custody and visitation issues than the court.
How a Judge Decides The Alimony Amount
Find out what a judge considers when determining the appropriate amount of alimony one spouse must pay to the other.
Nolo's Essential Guide to Divorce
Like most people who are going through a separation or divorce, you're probably wondering "What's next?" Turn to Nolo's Essential Guide to Divorce for clear answers that can help make your divorce simpler and reduce your expenses.
Divorcing? Get everything you need to split assets and debts as fairly as possible. When you're going through divorce, you have to make an overwhelming number of financial decisions. Should you sell the house? What happens to retirement benefits? How will you handle taxes?
Nolo's Essential Guide to Child Custody & Support
Whether you and your spouse agree on custody questions or you're fighting it out in court, you need solid information to help you deal with the child-focused parts of your divorce. This book offers guidance and resources at every step, from choosing a custody plan to enforcing its support.
Legal information and practical advice for older Americans dealing with divorce. Divorce After 50 is the only guide around that addresses the challenges unique to your age group.