Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
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Family law is a relatively broad legal practice area that covers marriage, divorce, child custody, adoption, and other matters. Abortion laws, which vary quite a bit from state to state, also are included in family law. Washington marriage laws cover the types of marriage that are prohibited, the grounds for an annulment, the legal requirements for divorce, and how the state handles marital property in a divorce. Some criminal matters, such as child abuse and domestic violence, also involve family law. For instance, a victim of domestic violence may seek a protective order and perhaps a modification of child custody.
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