Domestic relations

Family law
Family
Marriage and other equivalent or similar unions and status
Marriage Types of marriages Prenuptial agreement Cohabitation Common-law marriage Civil union Domestic partnership
Validity of marriages
Void and Voidable marriages Annulment
Dissolution of marriages
Divorce Adultery Grounds for divorce No-fault divorce Matrimonial Causes Act Legal separation Alimony Parenting plan Residence (UK (E.W. and NI)) Parental rights Custody Evaluator (U.S.) Parenting coordinator (U.S.)
Other issues
Paternity Legitimacy Child custody Legal guardian Adoption Child support Contact & visitation CAFCASS (UK (E.W.)) Grandparent visitation U.N. Rights of the Child Children's rights Emancipation Foster care Ward Parental child abduction
Private international law
Private international law Divorce Marriage Hague Convention (adoption) International child abduction Hague Convention (child abduction)
Family and criminal code (or criminal law)
Paternity fraud Bigamy CPS (U.S.) Child abuse Domestic violence Incest Child-selling

In the common law tradition, the law of domestic relations is a broad category that encompasses:

divorce;
property settlements;
alimony, spousal support, or other maintenance;
the establishment of paternity;
the establishment or termination of parental rights;
child support;
child custody;
visitation;
adoption; and
Emancipation of minors.

In some jurisdictions, guardianships, truancy, and matters related to juvenile delinquency are considered part of the law of domestic relations.

Many sorts of dispute fall into this broad category; many people who will not otherwise have any dealings during their lives with the judicial system have domestic relations disputes. Because of the volume of legal business generated by the law of domestic relations, a number of jurisdictions have established specialized courts of limited jurisdiction, sometimes called family courts, which hear domestic cases exclusively.

Domestic relations

See also