Welcome
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The Modern Woman's Divorce Guide is written by lawyers and doctors for women in the United States and beyond. Whether you're thinking about legal separation or annulment, in the throes of divorce, or trying to collect child support, our articles and interactive tools will help you navigate the legal, financial and emotional process.
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Quick Links
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Alimony, Maintenance & Support
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Quick Facts About Support
You may receive or be required to make, payments after divorce. These facts will give you a basic understanding of alimony, spousal support and maintenance.
Alimony, Spousal Support and Maintenance Explained
The right to receive support payments after divorce, dissolution or legal separation is not guaranteed. This article explains the different types of support and how a judge or commission decides if you should receive support payments.
Family Support and Unallocated Alimony Instead of paying or receiving child support and alimony, spousal support or maintenance, you might consider the alternatives, family support and unallocated alimony.

Property Division & Distribution
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Equitable Distribution Basics
If you live in one of the forty-one equitable distribution states, these basics will help you understand the law that applies to the fair and equitable distribution of property.
Community Property Explained
If you live in one of the nine community property states like Arizona, California or Washington, this article explains why some assets may not be divided equally or fifty-fifty in a community property state.
Separate Property Defined
Keeping premarital assets after divorce may be easier or more difficult than you think. Learn about tracings, commingling, transmutation and the other ins and outs of separate property law.
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YOU ASKED
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Expert answers and practical solutions to your real-life divorce relationship questions.
![]() Q. I am sober, but my husband still drinks. Do I qualify for alimony?
Answer written by Divorce Lawyer and Expert, Donna Beck Weaver, CFLS
I have been sober for 8 years, but my husband still drinks and he is verbally abusive, for which I go to counseling. We have been married for 10 years, lived together for 16 years and don't have any children. Do I qualify for alimony? ~Unpaid in Utah
![]() Q. We have a divorce agreement, so why is my wife's lawyer asking me for financial documents?
Answer written by Divorce Lawyer and Expert, Donna Beck Weaver, CFLS
My wife and I are getting a divorce and we have worked everything out between ourselves. Now, before signing our agreement, my wife has gone to see a lawyer and the lawyer is asking me for a lot of financial information. Why does the lawyer want all of this information and what are they trying to do? ~Worried in Washington
![]() Q. Can my niece and nephew share a bedroom at their dad's house in California?
Answer written by Divorce Lawyer and Expert, Donna Beck Weaver, CFLS
Is there a law in California that states a brother & sister cannot share a room? My niece is 5 and her half brother is 10 and their dad is divorcing my sister but he plans on having them share a room in his new apartment. ~Concerned in California
![]() Q. Why are my friends rejecting me since I separated from my husband?
Answer written by Divorce Coach and Clinical Social Worker Susan Pease Gadoua
I am recently separated and shocked by the rejection I am experiencing from friends and relatives – even those with whom I thought I had a close relationship. Please help me deal with my friend's rejection after separation? ~ZM
![]() Q. How do I co-parent with my EX?
Answer written by Divorce Lawyer and Expert, Donna Beck Weaver, CFLS.
My ex-spouse and I have finally finished our messy divorce, but now it seems that the divorce was the easy part! The hard part is we have two elementary school aged children together, and being parents together keeps on going! How can we have a civil relationship even after divorce? ~No "Energizer Bunny"
![]() Q. When is it time to call it quits and end a marriage?
Answer written by Divorce Coach and Clinical Social Worker Susan Pease Gadoua
I am a 29-year-old mother of two beautiful children, both under the age of two. My husband yells at me in front of the children, lies and is impatient with our one and a half year old son. I don't want our children to come from a broken
home but I also don't want to continue tolerating my husband's bad behavior. When is it time to call it quit and end a marriage? ~BJ
![]() Q. What Kind of Relationship is he ready for?
Answer written by noted author and Singlescoach, Nina Atwood
Last winter, I was introduced to someone by a mutual friend who was divorced after an 18 year marriage. I was newly divorced after a 25 year marriage. We bonded immediately. We became intimate after
a month of dating. We dated for 5 months when he politely said, things happened too fast...
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Helene Taylor, Esq
President and Founder
California Divorce Lawyer and Mediator
Consultations Call: 415-505-1031
The Family Lawyer Interview Series
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