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In our Massachusetts Extreme Risk Protection Orders section, we revised Who can file for an extreme risk protection order? to include the following additional people who can file:

• a healthcare provider who provided health care services to the respondent within the past six months; and
• a principal, assistant principal, or administrator of a school of college where the respondent is enrolled.

We also clarified that a law enforcement officer who files must have interacted with the respondent in an official capacity within the past 30 days. These edits are in line with the court petition that was revised in October 2024. Changes made in English; Spanish coming soon!

We added the following new crimes to our Florida Crimes page in English (Spanish coming soon) and to our Selected Florida Statutes page:

• 836.04. Defamation
• 836.05. Threats; extortion
• 836.115. Cyberintimidation by publication
• 836.13. Promotion of an altered sexual depiction; prohibited acts; penalties; applicability
• 836.14. Theft or unauthorized promotion of a sexually explicit image.

We restructured our Minnesota Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the order 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 “riot,” “spring guns,” and “crime committed for benefit of gang.” All changes made in English and Spanish.

We restructured our Michigan Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the order 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 “furnishing obscene books to minors.” All changes made in English and Spanish.

We updated the link to the Crime Victims Reimbursement Program on our Minnesota Crimes page.

In our Delaware Restraining Orders section, we revised Do I need to tell the court in Delaware if I move? to add additional information. 

In our Delaware Restraining Orders section, we created a question called My petition for an order was denied. Can I appeal? We also revised What can I do if the abuser violates the order? for clarity and accuracy. Lastly, we added a statute related to appealing a commissioner’s decision to our Selected Delaware Statutes page.

We translated into Spanish the Selected Louisiana Statutes page introduction.

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

We translated into Spanish our entire Louisiana State Gun Laws and Suing an Abuser for Money pages.

Based on 2024 legislative changes, we revised What is the legal definition of abuse in Massachusetts? in our Massachusetts Abuse Prevention Orders section to add coercive control as a reason that an order can now be granted.

We created a new South Carolina Child Support page including 10 new questions about filing for, changing (modifying), and enforcing a child support order. Spanish coming soon!

We also added 6 statutes related to paternity and child support to our Selected South Carolina Statutes page.

In our Massachusetts Divorce section, we divided one question into two questions to make the information easier to digest. As a result, we created a new question called What factors will a judge consider when deciding alimony? in English and Spanish.

We restructured our Massachusetts Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the order 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 “carrying dangerous weapons.” All changes made in English and Spanish.

We restructured our Indiana Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the order 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 “promotion of human labor trafficking.” All changes made in English and Spanish.

On our Missouri Gun Laws page, we revised the question What is the penalty for violating the firearms laws? to reflect a recent change in the law which made unlawful possession of a firearm a more serious crime. On our Missouri Custody page, we revised the question What factors will a judge consider when deciding custody? to clarify that a judge cannot decide custody based only on the fact that a parent sends his/her child to an FPE school. Changes were made in both English and Spanish. 

Based on 2024 legislative changes, we did the following:

• Revised What is the legal definition of abuse in Maine? in our Maine Restraining Orders section, to add stalking to the definition and clarify what qualifies when harassment and threats are being made using speech.
• Revised What factors will the judge consider when deciding whether to give alimony? in our Maine Divorce section, to add economic abuse to the factors the judge will consider.

Changed made in English; Spanish coming soon.

We completely restructured and expanded our Utah Custody page as follows:

• Created the new subsection Basic info and definitions, including five new questions.
• Created the new subsection Who can get custody or visitation, including two new questions.
• Created the new subsection The custody process, including four new questions.
• Created the new subsection After a custody order is in place.

All changes made in English; Spanish coming soon.

We also added 11 statutes related to custody to our Selected Utah Statutes page.

We restructured our Hawaii Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the order 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 restructured our Florida Crimes page by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the order 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 battery, violation of an injunction, property, and gun laws. Crimes added in English; Spanish coming soon.

In our Maryland Restraining Orders section, we revised the question What are the legal definitions of domestic abuse, sexual assault, abuse of a child, and abuse of a vulnerable adult in Maryland?, based on 2024 legislative changes. Changes made in English; Spanish coming soon.

On our About Abuse - Abuse Using Technology page, we completely re-wrote the Recording and Spoofing sections. We revised eight questions to provide survivors with the most updated information on ways these technologies could be misused by an abuser. All changes made in English; Spanish coming soon.

On our Florida Restraining Orders page, in the question Can my injunction be extended, changed, or dismissed? we updated the links to the Motion for Extension of Injunction form on the Florida Supreme Court’s website.

We translated into Spanish the Abuse Among People Living with HIV/AIDS page in our About Abuse – Abuse in Specific Communities section.

On our About Abuse – Abuse Using Technology page, we translated into Spanish recent revisions to 14 questions and a newly created question in the sections Evidence Issues in Cases Involving Technology and Ways Courts Use Technology.

We translated into Spanish our Louisiana Housing Laws page.

In our Louisiana Restraining Orders section, in What is the legal definition of domestic abuse in Louisiana?, we updated the link to the Louisiana Legislature that lists crimes that could be included in the definition of “domestic abuse.” Changes made in English and Spanish.

In our Iowa Custody section, we did the following:

• Revised Can a grandparent or great-grandparent get visitation? to emphasize that a visitation request can only be made if the child’s parent has died. We also clarified that there is a “rebuttable presumption” in favor of the parent’s decision if s/he objects to visitation and explained what that terms means; and
• Revised How will a judge decide if grandparent or great-grandparent visitation is in the child’s best interest? to clarify that the judge will only look at the best interest factors if the child’s parent has died and many other factors are true. We then linked users to Can a grandparent or great-grandparent get visitation? for a more detailed explanation of the many factors the judge would consider first.

We restructured the Crimes page for Louisiana by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the order 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 updated links to forms on the Colorado Courts website, in English and Spanish, as follows:

• In our Colorado Restraining Orders section:
  • “Protection Order Incident Checklist” form in What is the legal definition of domestic violence in Colorado? 
  • “How to Obtain a Civil Protection Order, JDF 400” in Step 5: The hearing 
  • “Instructions for Protected Person Motion to Modify / Dismiss Protection Order” in Can I file to modify the terms or length of my order or cancel it?
  • “Instructions for Restrained Person Motion to Modify / Dismiss Protection Order” in What if I disagree with the protection order issued against me?
  • “Fee Waivers” page in How much does it cost to get a protection order?
  • “Petition and Affidavit for an Extreme Risk Protection Order” in How do I get an extreme risk protection order?
• In our Colorado Divorce section:
  • “Petition for Divorce or Legal Separation,” ”Instructions to Convert Decree of Legal Separation to Decree of Dissolution of Marriage” and ”Motion to Convert Decree of Legal Separation to Decree of Dissolution of Marriage” in Where can I find additional information about divorce?
• In our Colorado Suing an Abuser for Money section, the “Guide to Small Claims” and “Small Claims Notice and Summons.” 

We updated 12 resources on our Kansas Legal Assistance page, and one resource on our Lawyer Referral Services page. Updates made in English; Spanish coming soon.

Based on 2024 legislative amendments, we did the following in our Colorado Custody section:

• Revised How will a judge make a decision about allocation of parental responsibilities? to add the following:
  • a judge should not consider information or recommendations that are biased, including bias regarding religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, culture, race, ethnicity, national origin, or disability; and
  • either party can file a motion to ask the judge to interview the child in the judge’s chambers in order to find out the child’s wishes as to parenting time.
• Revised Can a parent who committed abuse against me or my child get parental responsibilities? to add that when considering the judge considers the safety and well-being of the child and the abused parent, it includes their physical, mental, and emotional condition and needs.
• Revised If an allocation of parental responsibilities order is already in place, how can I get it changed? to add that a judge can order a litigant who files a frivolous motion to pay the costs of the other party’s “licensed legal paraprofessional.”
• Revised What can I do if the other parent violates the order? to add that a judge can order the losing party on a motion for contempt to pay the costs of the other party’s “licensed legal paraprofessional.”

Spanish coming soon.

We restructured the Crimes page for the U.S. Virgin Islands by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the order 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 updated the link to the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services, which has information on victims’ compensation.

We restructured the Crimes page for South Carolina by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the order 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 buggery and criminal solicitation of a minor. All changes made in English and Spanish.

We restructured the Crimes page for New Mexico by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the order 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 criminal sexual penetration. All changes made in English and Spanish.

We updated 11 resources on our Utah Legal Assistance page in English; Spanish coming soon!

We restructured the Crimes page for New Hampshire by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the order 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 false imprisonment.

We restructured the Crimes page for Mississippi by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the order 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 five crimes related to human trafficking and offenses affecting children.

We added the crime of “incest” to our Kentucky Crimes page.

On our About Abuse – Sexual Assault/Rape page we updated the link to the cited National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey in the questions What is sexual assault? How common is it? and What is rape? How common is it?

On our Safety Planning – While Using Social Media page we updated the link to a resource on cyber-bullying.

We updated the contact information for one resource on our National Organizations – Title IX page.

We updated the contact information for one resource on our Utah Local Programs page.

We updated the contact information for one resource on our Kansas Local Programs page.

We updated the contact information for one resource on our Ohio Local Programs page.

We updated the contact information for one resource on our Missouri Local Programs page.

For the Northern Mariana Islands we did the following:

• Created a new Suing an Abuser for Money page with information about seeking justice through the civil court system.
• Created a new Crimes page with information about possible crimes in the CNMI that the abuser may have committed.
• Added 48 statutes related to crimes to our Selected Northern Mariana Islands Statutes page.

On our Ohio Divorce page, we updated the links in Where can I find additional information about divorce in Ohio? for the court forms for divorce with and without children. 

In our Texas Places that Help section, we translated into Spanish one resource on our Local Programs page, one on our Legal Assistance page, and one on our Courthouse Locations page.

In our Pennsylvania Places that Help section, we translated into Spanish four resources on our Local Programs page and one resource on our Legal Assistance page.

In our New York Places that Help section, we translated into Spanish one resource on our Local Programs page and eight resources on our Legal Assistance page.

In our Michigan Places that Help section, we translated into Spanish one resource on our Local Programs page and two resources on our Legal Assistance page.

We translated into Spanish one resource on our Maryland Legal Assistance page.

We translated into Spanish one resource on our Illinois Courthouse Locations page.

We translated into Spanish one resource on our Florida Local Programs page.

We translated into Spanish one resource on our California Courthouse Locations page.

Based on 2024 legislative changes, for Utah we:

• Revised What is the legal definition of domestic violence and abuse in Utah? on our Restraining Orders page and added seven related statutes to our Selected Utah Statutes page.
• Revised If the abuser’s gun is taken away, what will happen to it? on our State Gun Laws page.

Changes made in English; Spanish coming soon.

In our South Dakota Places that Help section, we translated into Spanish one resource on our Local Programs page and one resource on our Lawyer Referral Services page.

In our New Hampshire Places that Help section, we translated into Spanish one resource on the Statewide Programs page, six resources on the Legal Assistance page, one resource on the Lawyer Referral Services page, and 30 resources on the Courthouse Locations page.

We translated into Spanish one resource on our Delaware Legal Assistance page.

In our Kentucky Places that Help section, we translated into Spanish 17 resources on the Legal Assistance page, one resource on the Lawyer Referral Services page, and two resources on the Courthouse Locations page.

We translated into Spanish our Nebraska Child Support and Housing Laws pages. Now the Spanish translation of the Nebraska Legal Information section is complete! That makes Nebraska the 37th state to be completely translated into Spanish on our website!

We revised five questions on our Utah Divorce page, based on 2024 legislative changes. Spanish coming soon.

• What are the residency requirements to file for divorce in Utah?
• What are the grounds for divorce in Utah?
• Can I get alimony?
• Will a judge consider who is at fault for the marriage ending when making a decision about alimony?
• Can a judge change or end my alimony order?

We also added 13 related statutes to our Selected Utah Statutes page.

On our Minnesota Custody page, we revised two questions based on 2024 legislative changes affecting the way some factors, like a parent’s gender, can be used to determine custody:

• How will a judge make a decision about custody?
• Can the non-custodial parent have access to the child’s medical, health, and school records?

We also added the new custody question If I or my child has a disability, will that affect the judge’s decision? based on 2024 legislative changes about how a parent’s disability can be considered in the custody process.

We updated our Minnesota Suing an Abuser for Money page based on 2024 legislative changes that increased the amount of damages in small claims court to $20,000.

On our Minnesota Divorce page, we revised three questions based on 2024 legislative changes for what is taken into account to determine an alimony award:

• Can I get alimony?
• How will a judge make a decision about alimony?
• Can my alimony award be changed?

We also added the following new questions based on these same legislative changes and to improve clarity for our users:

• If the judge orders alimony, how long will it last?
• Will I continue to receive alimony if I remarry?

On our Minnesota Restraining Orders page, we revised the following questions based on 2024 legislative changes about how restraining order papers are served:

• What types of orders for protection are available? How long do they last?
• Step 2: A judge will review your petition and may grant an ex parte order.
• Step 3: Service of process
• How can my order be changed, extended, or vacated?
• Do I need to tell the court in Minnesota if I move?
• What happens if the abuser violates the order?

We also revised How much does it cost to file for a harassment restraining order? based on 2024 legislative changes for what crimes mean that there is no fee to file for this type of order.

Finally, we added one statute related to custody to our Selected Minnesota Statutes page.

On our Florida Custody page, we translated into Spanish recent revisions to What is a parenting plan?

On our Florida Restraining Orders page, we translated into Spanish recent revisions to What protections can I get in an injunction for protection against domestic violence?

We translated into Spanish recent updates to our New York Suing an Abuser for Money page.

In our Georgia Dating Violence Protective Orders section, we translated into Spanish the new question What can I do if the abuser violates the order?

In our Georgia Stalking Protective Orders section, we translated into Spanish recent revisions to What types of stalking protective orders are there and how long do they last?

In our Georgia Child Support section, we translated into Spanish recent revisions to two questions:

• How much child support will I get?
• How long does child support last?

We translated into Spanish our Nebraska Harassment Protection Orders page.

On our New York Divorce page we revised the question What are the grounds for divorce?, based on 2024 legislative changes. Spanish coming soon.

We restructured the Crimes page for Illinois by creating a chart that lists the crime names on one side and the statute numbers on the order 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. Changes made in English and Spanish.

We added a resource, the State Bar of Michigan Modest Means Program, to our Michigan Lawyer Referral Services page in English and Spanish.

On our Tennessee Restraining Orders page, we translated into Spanish recent updates to What types of protection orders are there? How long do they last? 

On our Tennessee Custody page, we translated into Spanish recent updates to two questions:

• What rights do I have to my child when s/he is spending time with the other parent?
• Can a parent who committed violence get custody or visitation?

On our Virginia Restraining Orders page, we translated into Spanish recent updates to the following questions:

• How much does it cost to get a protective order? Do I need a lawyer?
• What happens if the abuser violates the order? in the section Protective Orders (for Family Abuse)
• What happens if the abuser violates the order? in the section Protective Orders (for an Act of Violence, Force, or Threat) section

On our Virginia Custody page, we translated into Spanish recent updates to the question If a custody order is already in place, how can I get it changed?