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Based on legislative changes that took effect in October 2024, we did the following:

• In our Massachusetts State Gun Laws page, we revised three questions to reflect the amended reasons that a person can be prohibited from getting a firearms license;
• In our Massachusetts Extreme Risk Protection Orders section, we revised:
  • What is an extreme risk protection order? to remove the requirement that an extreme risk protection order can only be filed against a person who has a license to carry firearms or a firearm identification card; 
  • What protections can I get in an extreme risk protection order? to add that the judge will issue a warrant for law enforcement to seize firearms that are not surrendered within 24 hours; and
  • Three questions to remove the specific reference to “rifles, shotguns, machine guns, and weapons” since the law now uses the term “firearms” to represent all types.
• In our Massachusetts Abuse Prevention Orders page, we revised Step 4: Service of process and Can the abuser have a gun? to remove the specific reference to “rifles, shotguns, machine guns, and weapons” since the law now uses the term “firearms” to represent all types; and
• Added a newly enacted statute related to gun laws to our Selected Massachusetts Statutes page.

Spanish translations for the content revisions coming soon.

We translated into Spanish recent revisions to the question Can I get an order of protection? in our New York Orders of Protection section.

We translated into Spanish recent revisions to two questions on our New Jersey Domestic Violence Restraining Orders page:

• What protections can I get in a final (permanent) restraining order?
• Step 4: The full court hearing

We created three new questions on our Wisconsin Divorce page related to property division:

• How will a judge decide what is separate property and what is marital property?
• How will a judge divide marital property?
• Is my spouse allowed to give away or transfer property so that I don’t get a portion of it?

We also added two related statutes to our Selected Wisconsin Statutes page. Questions added in English; Spanish coming soon!

To expand the information in our Mississippi Child Support section, we created the following four new questions:

• Can my child support order be changed?
• How will the child support be paid to me?
• How can I get child support if I don’t know where the other parent is?
• Will my personal information be protected if I am a victim of domestic violence?

We also added three related statutes to our Selected Mississippi Statutes page.

We translated into Spanish the recently added crimes on our North Carolina Crimes page.

We translated into Spanish the recent revisions made to five questions on our Pennsylvania Custody page.

We translated into Spanish the six questions on our newly created Utah Housing Laws page.

We revised our U.S. Virgin Islands Suing an Abuser for Money page based on a new law creating a civil right of action for victims of non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images.

On our U.S. Virgin Islands Child Support page we revised How is the amount of child support determined? based on a legislative change that creates a default amount of support if the parent does not submit income information to the court.

Due to changes in the law that adds non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images to the definition of domestic violence, we revised What is considered to be “domestic violence” under the law? on our U.S. Virgin Islands Workplace Protections page and What is the legal definition of domestic violence? on our Restraining Orders page.

We revised Who can get a domestic violence restraining order? on our U.S. Virgin Islands Restraining Orders page to clarify that household members can qualify regardless of their gender. Previously, we incorrectly stated that they had to be of the opposite sex.

We added the crime of “non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images” to our U.S. Virgin Islands Crimes page, as well as seven related statutes to our Selected U.S. Virgin Islands Statutes page.

On our Tennessee Restraining Orders page, we revised What is the legal definition of stalking? based on 2024 legislative changes that renumbered certain sections. We also revised Who can file for an elderly or vulnerable adult protection order? to improve readability. Changes made in English; Spanish coming soon!

In our Ohio Domestic Violence / Dating Violence Protective Orders section, we revised What protections can I get in a domestic violence or dating violence protection order? to add that the judge has the power to order the petitioner to seek counseling as well as ordering the abuser to do so. Changes made in English and Spanish.

In our Kansas Custody section, we revised Can a grandparent, step-parent, or sibling, or other non-parent get visitation? to add additional information about non-parents applying. We also created the following three new questions related to non-parent visitation:

• What do I have to prove to get non-parent visitation?
• What information will I need to include in a petition for non-parent visitation?
• How will a judge make a decision about non-parent visitation?

Finally, we added 22 statutes related to visitation to our Selected Kansas Statutes page. Questions added in English; Spanish coming soon!

We added 24 crimes that quality someone for a lifetime protective order to our Tennessee Crimes and Selected Tennessee Statutes pages. Crimes added in English; Spanish coming soon!

We translated into Spanish revisions to 14 questions in our Washington Sexual Assault Protection Orders section.

We translated into Spanish recent revisions to two questions in our Oklahoma Custody section, and recent revisions to our Oklahoma Suing an Abuser for Money page.

We translated into Spanish the question What are words and abbreviations I might hear in a Texas custody case? in our Texas Custody section.

We translated into Spanish the seven questions on our Indiana Housing Laws page.

We translated into Spanish recent revisions to the following questions in our Maine legal information:

• What is the legal definition of abuse in Maine? in our Restraining Orders section; and
• What factors will the judge consider when deciding whether to give alimony? in our Divorce section.

We translated into Spanish 12 new crimes added to our Florida Crimes page.

We translated into Spanish 17 new crimes added to our Washington D.C. Crimes page.

We translated into Spanish recent revisions made in Step 3: The ex parte hearing in our Arkansas Domestic Violence Orders of Protection section, and in our Arkansas Suing an Abuser for Money section.

We revised our North Carolina Download Court Forms page to add links to the complaint for a workplace no-contact order in English and Spanish.

We updated the links to local child support enforcement offices in four questions on our North Carolina Child Support page.

We also updated the links to the National Center on Full Faith and Credit in two questions on our North Carolina State Gun Laws page.

On our Utah Download Court Forms page, we updated the links to the Utah State Court System and its protective order forms, and the Utah Online Court Assistance Program.

We added a resource, ValorUS, to our California Statewide Programs page in English and Spanish.

In our Delaware Restraining Orders section, we revised Who can file for an order of protection from abuse? to clarify that the definition of “cohabitation” includes that a child of either or both parties is living in the home as well.

We restructured our Puerto Rico Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the other side. Now, users can sort crimes alphabetically, making it easier to find crimes by name, or they can sort them according to how they appear in the statutes. We also added the crimes of “incest” and “severe assault.” All changes made in English and Spanish.

We restructured our Vermont Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the other side. Now, users can sort crimes alphabetically, making it easier to find crimes by name, or they can sort them according to how they appear in the statutes. We also added eight crimes related to sexual offenses, disturbing the peace, and violating orders.

We restructured our Texas Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the other side. Now, users can sort crimes alphabetically, making it easier to find crimes by name, or they can sort them according to how they appear in the statutes. We also added 12 additional crimes. All changes made in English and Spanish.

We added two crimes related to sexual extortion and obscenity to our North Carolina Crimes page and our Selected North Carolina Statutes page.

We restructured our Oregon Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the other side. Now, users can sort crimes alphabetically, making it easier to find crimes by name, or they can sort them according to how they appear in the statutes. We also added two crimes related to the unlawful possession of firearms.

Based on 2024 legislative changes, we revised Can I get an order of protection? in our New York Orders of Protection section to add that an order can now be issued to a victim who is related by blood or marriage to someone who is/was in an intimate relationship with the abuser. Spanish coming soon.

We updated a resource, The Lighthouse, on our Alabama Local Programs page in English and Spanish.

We translated into Spanish recent revisions to How will a judge make a decision about allocation of parental responsibilities? on our Colorado Custody page.

On our About Abuse - Abuse Using Technology page, we translated into Spanish recent revisions to four questions in our Recording section and four questions in our Spoofing section. 

We translated into Spanish eight newly created questions as well as recent revisions to nine other questions in our Washington Civil Anti-Harassment Protection Orders section.

We translated into Spanish recent revisions on the following Utah pages:

• What is the legal definition of domestic violence and abuse in Utah? on our Restraining Orders page;
• If the abuser’s gun is taken away, what will happen to it? on our State Gun Laws page; and
• five questions on our Divorce page.

We restructured our North Carolina Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the other side. Now, users can sort crimes alphabetically, making it easier to find crimes by name, or they can sort them according to how they appear in the statutes. We also added seven crimes related to trespassing, kidnapping, abandonment, and assault.

We restructured our New York Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the other side. Now, users can sort crimes alphabetically, making it easier to find crimes by name, or they can sort them according to how they appear in the statutes. We also added eight crimes related to assault, contempt, and unlawful possession.

On our U.S. Virgin Islands Custody page, we did the following:

• Expanded our content to include new questions about paternity; custody and visitation when the case involves domestic violence; and changing a custody order:
  
  • What is paternity?
  • How is paternity established?
  • What protections can the judge order to make sure my child and I are safe during visitation?
  • Can a parent who committed domestic violence get custody or visitation?
  • How will the judge decide on custody and visitation when there is domestic violence?
  • How can I change my custody order?
• Added two new subsections, Who can get custody or visitation and After a custody order is in place, and reorganized questions within the subsections to make it easier for users to find the information they’re looking for.

We also added seven statutes related to custody to our Selected U.S. Virgin Islands Statutes page.

We revised our New Jersey Download Court Forms page to add links to the court forms for custody, child support, small claims court, and for an amended domestic violence restraining order. Spanish coming soon.

We restructured our New Jersey Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the other side. Now, users can sort crimes alphabetically, making it easier to find crimes by name, or they can sort them according to how they appear in the statutes. We also added the crimes of “stalking of children and persons with mental defect” and “endangering welfare of children.” Changes made in English and Spanish.

We updated the contact information for the Chicanos Por La Causa’s De Colores program on our Arizona Local Programs page.

On our U.S. Virgin Islands Crimes page, we updated the link to the Department of Human Services’ website, which has information on victims’ compensation.

We restructured our Nevada Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the other side. Now, users can sort crimes alphabetically, making it easier to find crimes by name, or they can sort them according to how they appear in the statutes. We also added three new crimes related to fraud and false personation. Crimes added in English; Spanish coming soon!

Based on 2024 legislative changes, we added 12 new immigration-related statutes to our Selected Federal Statutes page. 

We translated into Spanish recent revisions to the question What are the grounds for divorce? on our New York Divorce page.

We translated into Spanish our Louisiana Child Support, Crimes, and Download Court Forms pages. Now the Spanish translation of the Louisiana Legal Information section is complete! That makes Louisiana the 38^th state to be completely translated into Spanish on our website!

In our Montana Download Court Forms page, we added links to the Montana Judicial Branch website for forms related to child support, common law marriage, and name changes for adults and children. 

We revised the following two questions in our Oklahoma Custody section, based on 2024 legislative changes adding child abuse to the factors judges must consider when awarding custody:

• Can a parent who committed domestic violence, child abuse, stalking, or harassment get visitation or custody?
• Aside from domestic violence, child abuse, stalking, and harassment, are there other reasons why the judge might not order custody or visitation?

We revised our Oklahoma Suing an Abuser for Money page to clarify the availability of attorney fees in small claims cases. Changes made in English; Spanish coming soon!

We also added a statute related to custody to our Selected Oklahoma Statutes page.

On our Washington Download Court Forms page, we updated links to the Washington State Courts website’s forms for protection orders, extreme risk protection orders, orders restricting abusive litigation, and custody.

On our New Jersey Restraining Orders page, we updated the links in Do I have to register my protection order in NJ in order to get it enforced? and What if I don’t register my protection order? Will it be more difficult to have it enforced? to the updated New Jersey Domestic Violence Procedures Manual that was edited in 2022.

In our Illinois Stalking No Contact Orders section, we revised Who is eligible for a stalking no contact order? to include that the following additional people can file a petition:

• a victim of stalking who is a service member of the Illinois National Guard or any reserve military component serving in Illinois who already has a military protective order (MPO); or
• the Staff Judge Advocate of the Illinois National Guard or any reserve military component serving in Illinois who is filing on behalf of a victim of stalking who already has a military protective order (MPO). However, the stalking victim must agree (consent) to a petition being filed by the Staff Judge Advocate.

The revision is based on a law that took effect in July 2023; we regret the delay in updating this information. (Spanish soon to come.)

In our Hawaii Divorce section, we revised What factors will a judge consider when deciding alimony? to make the factors easier to understand. We also created a new question called How long can alimony last? Lastly, in our Hawaii Crimes page, we updated links to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s website for the Restitution and Victim Services office and the Crime Victim Compensation Commission.

In our New Mexico Restraining Orders section, we revised Do I need to tell the court in New Mexico if I move? in English and Spanish to add additional information. 

Based on 2024 legislative changes, we revised our Delaware Suing an Abuser for Money page to add that the right to sue someone for money damages if they distribute an intimate image now also applies to “deep fake” images, which are created or changed using digital technology that creates a realistic but false image, audio, or video (“synthetic media”).

We translated into Spanish the recently updated resources on our Kansas Lawyer Referral Services and Legal Assistance pages.

We translated into Spanish recent revisions to 29 questions and five new questions on our T Visa for Trafficking Victims page.

On our About Abuse – Abuse Using Technology page, we translated into Spanish recent revisions to 22 questions and six newly created questions in the following sections:

• Abuse Involving Connected Devices
• Abuse Involving Texts, Photos, and Videos (non-consensual dissemination of intimate image/”revenge porn”)
• Cyberstalking and Online Harassment

In our Massachusetts Restraining Orders section, we revised 6 questions to update the links to various court forms on the Mass.gov website. Changes made in English and Spanish. We also added links the following court forms on our Massachusetts Download Court Forms page:

• extreme risk protection orders;
• divorce;
• custody and parenting time;
• child support; and
• small claims court.

Spanish coming soon.

We added the question How is paternity established in South Carolina? to our South Carolina Custody section. Spanish coming soon!

In our Florida Restraining Orders, we revised 5 questions to update the links to various court forms on the Florida Courts website and we revised one question in our Florida Crimes page to update the link to the VINE program. We also revised 11 questions in the Florida Workplace Protections page for accuracy and clarity. All changes made in English and Spanish. Lastly, we added a statute related to small claims court to our Selected Florida Statutes page.

On our Kansas Crimes page, we did the following:

• Restructured the page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the other side. Now, users can sort crimes alphabetically, making it easier to find crimes by name, or they can sort them according to how they appear in the statutes;
• Added the crimes of “violation of a protective order,” “criminal carrying of a gun,” and “selling sexual relations;”
• Updated the link to the Crime Victims Compensation Board, where you can find more information on victims’ compensation in Kansas.

All changes made in English and Spanish.

We restructured our Maine Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the other side. Now, users can sort crimes alphabetically, making it easier to find crimes by name, or they can sort them according to how they appear in the statutes. We also added the crime of “endangering welfare of dependent person.” All changes made in English and Spanish.

We revised our Arizona Suing an Abuser for Money page to add that neither party is allowed to be represented by an attorney unless both of them agree to it in writing. We also added a related statute to the Selected Arizona Statutes page.

Based on legislative amendments that took effect 1/1/24, we revised the California Suing an Abuser for Money page in English and Spanish to update the small claims court limit from $10,000 to $12,500. We also added a related statute to our Selected California Statutes page.

In our Arkansas Domestic Violence Orders of Protection page, we revised Step 3: The ex parte hearing to clarify that if a victim is denied an ex parte order, s/he still has the right to request a hearing for a final order where both sides are present and can offer evidence. In our Arkansas Suing an Abuser for Money page, we added that under Arkansas law, attorneys are not allowed to represent either party in small claims court. (Spanish coming soon.) We also added a statute related to small claims court to our Selected Arkansas Statutes page.

We restructured our Guam Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the other side. Now, users can sort crimes alphabetically, making it easier to find crimes by name, or they can sort them according to how they appear in the statutes. We also added the crime of “disclosure of family violence shelter.”

We revised our Maryland Crimes page to add the crime of ‘driving while under the influence or impairment of alcohol or drug prohibited,’ in English and Spanish.

We restructured our Washington, D.C. Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the other side. Now, users can sort crimes alphabetically, making it easier to find crimes by name, or they can sort them according to how they appear in the statutes.

We also added 17 crimes related to sex offenses, prostitution, identity theft, and gun laws. Crimes added in English; Spanish coming soon.

We restructured our Delaware Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the other side. Now, users can sort crimes alphabetically, making it easier to find crimes by name, or they can sort them according to how they appear in the statutes. We also added 14 crimes related to abuse, assault, burglary, fraud, cruelty to animals, and gun laws.