The dissolution of marriage is an unusually traumatic event. 

The information on this website is designed to discuss many areas that might be of concern to you.  It is not intended as legal advice for your particular case; do not let this information replace discussion and advice from one of our attorneys.  Family law is complex; your case may have nuances that make some of the general statutes herein inapplicable.  This is designed for basic information so we may be able to communicate with some common vocabulary.  We hope it will remove some of the uncertainties that you may have.  You will have specific questions even after you have studied this information.  Please ask those questions and keep asking them until you understand the answers. 

 There are four basic legal causes of action to grow out of the dissolution of a marriage in which there are children and three causes of action in a marriage without children.  For purposes of this discussion, these actions are classified as follows: 1. Child Custody and Support; 2. Alimony; 3. Division of Property; and 4. Divorce. 

With the exception of obtaining the actual absolute divorce, the resolution of these issues can be achieved either by agreement or through litigation.  Furthermore, mediation and/or arbitration may facilitate agreement in some cases.  To obtain the absolute divorce, a simple court hearing is necessary.  If other litigation is involved, each cause of action can be maintained in a separate lawsuit; however, one or more of these actions are usually combined in one lawsuit with separate claims for relief for each cause of action.  As an example, in a family made up of a husband, a wife, and at least one minor child, one lawsuit might address (1) child custody and child support, (2) postseparation support and permanent Alimony and (3) interim possession of the marital home and property division (equitable distribution).