Legal Blog — Free Legal Articles & Guides

Virginia has no formula for alimony — judges use 11 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.1. Learn how fault affects payments, how long they last, and what courts consider in 2026.

Yes — but jail is the last step, not the first. Courts must first prove you CAN pay and won't. Learn the 4 steps under 18 U.S.C. § 228. Free 2026 guide.

Arizona uses income shares under A.R.S. § 25-320. Both parents' gross income counts. One unique rule: Arizona presumes joint custody — which directly lowers child support in most cases.

California uses Cal. Fam. Code § 4055 for child support. SB 343 (Sept. 1, 2024) changed the K-factor to net income. DissoMaster discontinued Nov. 2024 — courts now use certified alternatives. Learn the formula with real examples.

Florida uses income shares under Fla. Stat. § 61.30. Both parents' gross incomes determine the base amount, then custody time adjusts it. Learn the formula with real examples.

Georgia child support uses income shares under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. Senate Bill 454 brought 4 major changes effective January 1, 2026 — including mandatory parenting time adjustment. Learn what changed and how it affects your calculation.

Illinois child support uses HFS standardized net income (750 ILCS 5/505) — not take-home pay. Modification threshold is 20% and $10/month under 750 ILCS 5/510(a)(2)(A), not 15%. Shared parenting at 146+ overnights.

Michigan applies the MCSF manual (2023-era formula materials), net income, ordinary medical expense lines including the $468 ordinary medical anchor, and practical modification screening often discussed around a 10% threshold. Learn how to plan responsibly in 2026.

Montana uses net income of both parents under Mont. Code Ann. § 40-4-204. Learn the formula, income caps, and how custody time affects your payment in 2026.

New Jersey uses income shares under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23. Both parents' net income counts. NJ is one of few states using net income — and has a specific cap for high earners. Learn the formula.

New York child support uses CSSA percentages on combined income up to $193,000 effective March 1, 2026. DRL § 240(1-b) explained with examples.

North Carolina uses income shares under N.C.G.S. 50-13.4 with 3 worksheets (A, B, C) keyed to custody patterns. Learn how overnight totals—including a 123-overnight planning example—drive worksheet selection and the final order in 2026.

Ohio uses income shares under Ohio Rev. Code Chapter 3119, starting from gross income minus specific worksheet deductions, CSEA worksheet culture, and parenting-time adjustments that often turn on crossing 90+ overnights per year.

Oklahoma uses income-shares guidelines under Okla. Stat. tit. 43 § 118 since 2009—not the old percentage-of-obligor story many outdated pages repeat. Combined gross income sets the schedule amount; shared-parenting adjustments at 121+ overnights; imputation under § 118B; modification under § 118C.

Pennsylvania applies income shares under 23 Pa. C.S. Section 4322 using both parents’ monthly net incomes, guideline schedules keyed to combined net income, and statutory add-ons for health care, child care, and special education where applicable.

South Dakota uses percentage of income under SDCL § 25-7-6.2. Only the paying parent's income counts. Plus: SD has zero state income tax — learn how that affects your calculation in 2026.

Texas uses a percentage of net income model under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125. Learn the exact percentages, the $11,700 cap, and how custody time can change your payment.

Vermont uses income shares under 15 V.S.A. § 659. Both parents' gross income determines the base, adjusted for custody time. Learn the formula with real examples for 2026.

Virginia uses income shares under Va. Code section 20-108.2. Both parents' gross income counts. Virginia allows sole and shared custody schedules — and the custody split changes the formula directly.

Washington HB 1014 expanded the child support table to $50,000 combined net income (RCW 26.19.020). Self-support reserve is $2,394/month in 2026. Modification under RCW 26.09.170 after 24 months.

West Virginia uses income shares under W. Va. Code § 48-13-301. Learn the combined income table, custody adjustments, and how to modify support in 2026.

Wyoming uses income shares under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-304. Both parents' net income determines support. Wyoming is one of few states using net income—and zero state income tax on wages—so combined net and schedule output differ from most neighbors. Learn how that changes your calculation in 2026.

Adultery rarely changes alimony dollars in no-fault states unless money was wasted or hidden; California still weighs economics under Fam. Code § 4320. Free 2026 guide.

No — child support is NOT taxable income for the recipient and NOT deductible for the payer since 2019 (TCJA). Learn why and what changed. Free guide.

More overnights often lowers support: California bakes time into Fam. Code § 4055 (H%); Texas adjusts on the guideline worksheet. Run both parents' incomes. Free 2026 guide.

Florida ties durational alimony length to marriage length under Fla. Stat. § 61.08(6)–(8); New York sets duration bands under DRL § 236-B(5-b)(h). Compare rules. Free 2026 guide.

5 legal grounds to reduce child support: income drop, new child, custody change, child turns 18, hardship. Courts require formal process. Free 2026 guide.

Michigan uses a 10% rebuttable presumption (MCL 552.605). Texas practitioners often plan around ~20% swings (Tex. Fam. Code Ch. 156). North Carolina ties reviews to N.C.G.S. 50-13.7. California has no single percentage gate. Compare scenarios with the free modification calculator.

Layoffs do not automatically pause an order; modification usually requires filing and proof. Model new guideline numbers before you negotiate. Free 2026 guide.

No national formula: New York uses a statutory formula under DRL § 236-B(5-b); California weighs Fam. Code § 4320 factors; Texas limits many awards under Fam. Code Ch. 8. Free 2026 guide.

38 states use income shares; Texas applies net-resources percentages under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125; California uses Fam. Code § 4055 with parenting time (H%). Free 2026 guide.

Salary alone is not enough: the white-collar exemption needs $684/week plus a real duties test under 29 C.F.R. § 541. Misclassification can mean years of OT owed. Free 2026 guide.

You can still be fired for legitimate reasons, but WC retaliation is unlawful—California Labor Code § 132a adds up to $10,000 plus reinstatement if proved. Free 2026 guide.

Firing you solely because of one wage garnishment is generally banned under 15 U.S.C. § 1674 — multiple garnishments weaken that shield. Document everything. Free 2026 guide.

You can recover unpaid wages PLUS liquidated damages — doubling what you're owed. File with DOL for free. 2-3 year window. Free 2026 guide.

California adds daily overtime on top of federal weekly rules. After 8 hours/day: 1.5x. After 12 hours/day: 2x. Learn the exact rules under Cal. Labor Code Section 510 and how to calculate what you are owed.

Texas follows federal FLSA overtime — 1.5x after 40 hours per week, no daily rules. Learn who qualifies, the salary threshold, and what to do if your employer underpays.

California limits garnishment to 25% of disposable income or the amount above 40x minimum wage — whichever is less. Learn the exact limits under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. Section 706.050 for 2026.

Texas prohibits wage garnishment for most private debts — one of only four states with this protection. Learn what Texas Constitution Article XVI Section 28 covers, what it does not, and your rights in 2026.

California: up to $100 per employee per late pay period under Lab. Code § 210(a), plus waiting-time penalties up to 30 days' wages after separation (Lab. Code § 203). Other states differ. Free 2026 guide.

Overtime after 40 hours/week under 29 U.S.C. § 207(a); California adds daily OT rules under Lab. Code § 510. Many claims survive 2–3 years. Free 2026 guide.

TTD often pays about two-thirds of average weekly wage (state-capped); PD ratings and schedules drive final lump sums. C&R vs stip award—tradeoffs inside. Free 2026 guide.

Medical creditors usually need a judgment before wage garnishment; federal caps still apply under 15 U.S.C. § 1673. Charity care + billing appeals first. Free 2026 guide.

Simple cases: 3–6 months. Complex injuries: 1–3 years. Learn the 5 factors that control your timeline. Don't settle before MMI. Free 2026 guide.

Non-economic damages: e.g. a 3× multiplier on $10,000 specials might suggest ~$30,000 (illustrative). Insurers counter with per-diem day rates. Learn both. Free 2026 guide.

Nonprofit hospitals must offer financial assistance under IRC § 501(r); the No Surprises Act adds good-faith estimates (PHS Act § 2799B-3). Scripts inside. Free 2026 guide.

Settlements stack economic loss + pain and suffering; some states bar recovery if you're more than 50% at fault (modified comparative negligence). Wait for MMI. Free 2026 guide.

Ohio caps late fees under O.R.C. § 1343.01: 8% per year on unpaid debts. Learn what landlords, contractors and creditors can legally charge — and what courts will reject.

Federal cap: lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount above 30× the federal minimum wage (15 U.S.C. § 1673). Some states add stronger protections. Free 2026 guide.

Dollar limits often range roughly $3,000–$25,000 depending on state and plaintiff type; judgment interest post-win varies by statute. Check your cap before filing. Free 2026 guide.