There are many factors an Alaskan family court considers when determining child custody. Domestic violence is one factor that can greatly impact one’s co-parenting schedule. After a divorce, the court’s primary goal is to do what is best for the children, which means not exposing them to violence in the home. Those who are divorcing after a domestic violence situation should be aware of how that can impact a child custody order.   Keeping children safe  When one spouse is accused of domestic violence against the other before or during a divorce, those accusations can affect how ..read more

Going through a divorce can be one of the most difficult times in someone’s life. Divorces usually come with many life changes and the process requires one to go through the proper procedures to complete the paperwork and steps needed to reach the end where the divorce is finalized. When one divorces, the issue of residency is important. Alaska, like other states, has residency requirements that dictate where one must file for divorce.   Residency during divorce  When filing for divorce, the person initially submitting the paperwork, or their spouse should live in Alaska. Someon ..read more

After a divorce or separation in Alaska, one parent is often ordered to pay child support to the other parent. This money usually goes to the parent with primary custody of the child. The funds can be used to help the primary parent pay for food, housing, clothing, and other things the child needs. But child support isn’t automatic if one doesn’t take the steps needed to have that order put into place officially. Getting started with the child support request promptly can help one get the funds needed to care for their child.   Requesting child support  Alaska’s Child Support En ..read more

Going through a divorce can be one of the most difficult life changes for many Alaskans. Divorce negotiations can be time-consuming and challenging to work through when a marriage ends on bad terms. But when a marriage ends amicably, and both parties agree on important issues like child support, child custody, and asset division, an uncontested divorce can be a good option to get through the process with minimal stress. Uncontested divorces have many benefits, but only if both parties can agree on the terms of the divorce.  An uncontested divorce  When attempting an uncontested divor ..read more

Appearing in family court in Alaska can be stressful, especially for those who aren’t familiar with how a court hearing or trial works. Divorce hearings and trials can be difficult because the results will determine how one moves on after a divorce, especially when it comes to financial matters. By knowing more about how to dress for court, and how to act when inside the courtroom, one can prepare themselves for facing a family court judge.   Preparing for court  Before going to the courthouse, be aware of the parking rules and leave with plenty of time to park and walk to the c ..read more

When parents of minor children separate or divorce in Alaska, a custody order helps both sides know what to expect when it comes to co-parenting. A thorough custody order outlines all matters of custody so that each parent is prepared to provide care for the child during their parenting time. While what’s in the custody order can vary greatly from one situation to another, there is a basic guideline for what will be included in most custody orders. Including this information ensures that both parents are on the same page.  What’s in the custody order?  One of the most important parts ..read more

Property division is one aspect of divorce that many Alaskans find very stressful. Dealing with money and other assets can bring out the worst in people, especially when they’re already facing other life changes related to divorce. While dividing marital property may not be easy, it must be done as part of the divorce process. Understanding how the state deals with debt and property division can help one be prepared during the negotiations.   Marital property and debt  Marital property consists of anything earned or bought during the marriage. This often includes real estate, ve ..read more

When parents separate or divorce in Alaska, one parent is usually required to pay child support to the other. Child support helps the parent with primary custody afford to care for the child and is intended to ensure that both parents offer financial support to their child. Those who are new to the child support system may have questions about how making and receiving payments works. Fortunately, the state has a system in place that makes the process quite easy.  Making and receiving payments  The parent who receives child support payments may choose to have those payments deposited ..read more

Divorce does not always come at a convenient time and many Alaskans find themselves dealing with difficult life circumstances when choosing to divorce. Pregnancy, while often a happy event, can cause some people who are in difficult marriages to question whether divorce is the right choice. Facing a divorce while one party is pregnant can be challenging, but it is possible to get divorced during pregnancy. It may add some complications to an already stressful process, but some couples find that divorcing is best for everyone involved, even during pregnancy.  Filing for divorce during preg ..read more

Many challenges come with filing for divorce in Alaska. Some people struggle with knowing when to file or how to start the process. Fortunately, filing for divorce is usually a straightforward process that can be completed with the proper paperwork. But when one party decides to file and the other party is not easily located, the filing party may find the process stressful and time-consuming. There are ways for one to file for divorce even when the other party is not present if one follows proper procedures. Filing without the other party When one party decides to file for divorce, the other p ..read more