Legal News

Family

Keep abreast of the latest news on the most common areas of family law—adoptions, marriage and premarital agreements (prenuptials), and divorce.

Featured Article

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are divorcing after seven years of marriage.

Lopez and Anthony Call It Quits

Jul 19, 2011

LegalZoom News Sources

After seven years of marriage, superstar couple Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have decided to divorce.

"We have come to an amicable conclusion on all matters," the singers told People Magazine in a joint statement. They also said that the decision was "painful," and they want to maintain their privacy.

Read Entire Article

Gibson to Pay Ex-Girlfriend $750,000

Sep 1, 2011

Actor and director Mel Gibson and his ex-girlfriend, Russian singer Oksana Grigorieva, recently reached a settlement in a contentious break-up battle.

Under terms of the settlement, the Braveheart star will pay Grigorieva $750,000 and split custody of their 2-year-old daughter. Gibson will also maintain Grigorieva in a multimillion dollar home.

Gilbert Sisters Split with Long-time Partners

Aug 29, 2011

Melissa Gilbert, who became famous for playing Laura Ingalls on the television series "Little House on the Prairie," recently announced she will divorce her husband of 16 years, Bruce Boxleitner.

The 37-year-old Gilbert and 61-year-old Boxleitner separated several months ago, and are now making the split permanent, citing irreconcilable differences. Gilbert seeks joint custody of their 15-year-old son and no spousal support from Boxleitner, an actor who appeared in TV shows such as "Scarecrow and Mrs.

Kardashian and Humphries Sign Prenuptial Agreement

Aug 25, 2011

Reality TV star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian and her new husband, pro basketball star Kris Humphries, have completed the legal paperwork to finalize a prenuptial agreement, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The agreement will protect each party's assets in the event of a divorce, and each party has significant assets on the line. Kardashian is worth a reported $35 million and Humphries has personal assets of between $8 and $16 million.

Lawsuit Alleges Lawyers Duped Dying Businessman

Aug 25, 2011

In a case demonstrating the importance of settling prenuptial agreements and estate planning matters with loved ones, the widow of Thomas McNamee, a prominent Chicago-area businessman, has sued her late husband’s attorneys and business partners, disputing the disposition of his estate, the Chicago Tribune reports.

The plaintiff, Heather Rooney, says she and McNamee planned to wed after he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2008.

Virginia Delays Vote on Adoption Regulations

Aug 18, 2011

The Virginia State Board of Social Services recently voted to extend the public comment period before voting on new state adoption standards.

Revised adoption regulations were proposed two years ago, and earlier this year were approved by Governor Bob McDonnell's office and the state attorney general. However, some faith-based adoption agencies and other socially conservative action groups protested to the social services board about non-discrimination language in the regulations.