Love Court Off the Record

Stay-at-Home Parent & Alimony: Am I On My Own After Divorce?

“I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for the past 12 years while my husband built his career and income. Now he’s filed for divorce and is telling me I need to ‘just get a job’ and that he’s not going to pay alimony because I’m capable of working. I haven’t been in the workforce in over a decade and gave up my career to raise our kids and support him. Does the court actually take that into account, or am I expected to just figure it out on my own?" ____ In this episode of Love Court, divorce attorney Jessica Anderson answers a deeply personal question from a listener who spent 12 years as a stay-at-home mom while her spouse built his career. Now facing divorce, she’s being told to simply “get a job” and that alimony isn’t on the table. Jessica explains how courts evaluate spousal support, especially when one partner stepped away from the workforce to raise children and support the household. She breaks down the key factors judges consider—such as the length of the marriage, earning capacity, contributions to the family, and time needed to re-enter the workforce—and whether a stay-at-home parent is expected to become immediately self-sufficient. Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/] Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/]

Moving Out Before Divorce: Is It a Legal Mistake Without an Agreement?

“My husband and I are separated but still living in the same house for financial reasons. He just told me he’s planning to ‘temporarily’ move out and stay with a friend—but refuses to sign anything about custody or finances first. I’m worried this is a setup and he’ll come back later claiming I kept the kids from him or took over the house. Should I let him leave without a formal agreement in place, or is that a huge mistake" ____ In this episode of Love Court, divorce attorney Jessica Anderson answers a listener’s question about a risky situation many separating couples face: one spouse moving out before anything is formally documented. When finances are tight and emotions are high, it can be tempting to “figure things out later”—but informal arrangements can quickly lead to disputes over custody, finances, parenting time, and possession of the home. Jessica explains what legal issues can arise when a spouse leaves the marital home without a written agreement in place, and why documenting temporary arrangements can help prevent future claims or misunderstandings. She also discusses how courts view temporary living situations, parenting schedules, and household expenses while a divorce is pending—and what steps can help protect both parents and children during the transition.  Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/] Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/]

Primary Custody vs. Relocation: Can My Ex Actually Stop Me?

“I have primary custody of my 4-year-old, and my ex has recently started exercising more visitation after barely being around for years. Now I’ve been offered a job out of state near my family, and he’s suddenly threatening to block the move and ‘take me to court for full custody.’ Can he actually stop me from relocating if I’ve been the primary parent all along?" ____ In this episode of Love Court, divorce attorney Jessica Anderson answers a listener’s question about relocating with a young child when the other parent suddenly becomes more involved. After years of limited involvement, the ex is now exercising more visitation and threatening to block an out-of-state move—and even seek full custody. Jessica explains how courts evaluate relocation requests, even when one parent has primary custody. She breaks down what judges look at, including the child’s best interests, the history of each parent’s involvement, the reason for the move, and how the move will impact the parent-child relationship. She also addresses whether a parent can realistically stop a move or use it as a basis to seek a custody change. Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/]

Dueling Appraisals: What Happens When the House Values Don’t Match?

“My ex husband and I are in the middle of a divorce and we both got appraisals on the house. His came in at $520,000 and mine came in at $615,000. That’s a huge difference. He wants to use his appraisal because it’s lower and says mine is ‘inflated. I feel like he’s trying to undervalue the house so he can buy me out cheaper" ____ In this episode of Love Court, divorce attorney Jessica Anderson addresses a listener’s frustration over conflicting home appraisals during a divorce. One spouse’s appraisal values the house at $520,000, while the other comes in much higher at $615,000—creating a major disagreement about the home’s true value and the potential buyout amount. Jessica explains how courts typically handle dueling appraisals, why different appraisers can arrive at very different numbers, and what options exist when spouses cannot agree on the value of the marital home. She also discusses common solutions such as averaging the appraisals, hiring a neutral third appraiser, or having the court decide which valuation is more reliable based on the evidence presented.  Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/] Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/]

Out-of-State Custody Orders: Do We Modify in California or Nevada?

“I got divorced in California five years ago, but now both of us and our kids live in Nevada full-time. The custody order is still from California. If we want to modify custody or parenting time, do we file in California or Nevada? And do we have to transfer the case somehow?" ____ In this episode of Love Court, divorce attorney Jessica Anderson answers a listener’s question about modifying a custody order that was issued in another state. After divorcing in California five years ago, both parents and their children now live full-time in Nevada—but the original custody order is still from the California court. Jessica explains how courts determine which state has jurisdiction to modify custody orders, including how laws governing interstate custody cases work when families relocate. She also discusses the process of transferring or registering an out-of-state order in Nevada and what parents should know before filing a request to modify custody or parenting time. Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/] Contact Us: https://andersonkeuscher.com/ [https://andersonkeuscher.com/]