Family Law

N.J. Supreme Court Says Cohabitation Not Required for Palimony

The New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that cohabitation is not an essential requirement for a palimony suit, although it is a factor that should be considered. The New Jersey Law Journal says the ruling is a break from precedent set by “nearly every other state court.” Although cohabitation is…

Jun 18, 2008 11:59 AM CDT

Engaged 15 Years, Two Men Plan to Marry in California Tomorrow

Updated: Tomorrow, 15 years after they bought the rings, Kevin Voecks, 51, and Paul Waters, 53, plan to be married in California. It is expected to be the first day that same-sex couples can marry there, following a historic California Supreme Court ruling that they have a state constitutional right…

Jun 16, 2008 6:16 PM CDT

Child Bride in Yemen, 10, Gets Divorce On Her Own

A 10-year-old Yemeni girl who went to court on her own in April to seek a divorce after being married as a child bride, has gotten her wish. Nujood Ali, whose identity has been widely reported, has gotten her divorce—and sparked a debate about the plight of other girls in…

Jun 12, 2008 3:38 PM CDT

Meet Polygamous Sect Lawyer Rod Parker

The man who served as both spokesman and lawyer for the polygamous sect that fought to regain its children got the job by happenstance. Rod Parker, a lawyer with Snow, Christensen & Martineau in Salt Lake City, had just returned to the law firm after a stint at the Justice…

Jun 11, 2008 3:38 PM CDT

Va. Supreme Court Requires Enforcement of Vt. Ruling in Same-Sex Dissolution

The Virginia Supreme Court has ruled that state courts must enforce a child custody order issued by a Vermont court in the dissolution of a same-sex civil union. The ruling requires recognition of the Vermont ruling, despite a Virginia law that says same-sex unions from other states are void there,…

Jun 9, 2008 11:30 AM CDT

Report Cites Errors By DA’s Office in ‘Sadly Predictable’ Murder of Estranged Wife

Miscommunication, judgment errors and policy violations by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office helped create a situation in which it was possible for an abusive husband to murder his estranged wife, an internal report concludes. It has caused dismay both in the office and among domestic violence experts nationally,…

Jun 5, 2008 11:38 PM CDT

Suit Seeks to Block N.Y. Gay Marriage Directive

A lawsuit filed yesterday seeks to block an order by New York’s governor requiring state agencies to recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere. The suit was filed by five state lawmakers with the backing of the Alliance Defense Fund, the New York Times reports. The Christian group had previously vowed to…

Jun 4, 2008 12:57 PM CDT

Polygamous Texas Sect Bans Underage Teen Marriages

Updated: As parents Monday began picking up more than 400 children found to have been taken improperly from a Texas ranch run by a polygamous sect of which they are members, the religious group pledged to comply with state law concerning the age at which teenagers may marry. Teens may…

Jun 3, 2008 10:22 PM CDT

Return of Sect Children Doesn’t End Abuse Inquiry

The return of 468 children removed from their homes in a polygamous sect doesn’t end the investigation into sexual abuse there. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that a grand jury in Eldorado, Texas, issued a higher-than-usual 18 indictments yesterday. Some sect members feared the indictments were related to the sect…

Jun 3, 2008 1:27 PM CDT

Lawyers Report Rich Clients Are Feeling Economic Squeeze

Lawyers, lenders and others who interact with the rich tell the New York Times that the economic downturn is squeezing their clients, who are cutting back on luxuries like frequent $350 highlights and $10,000 an hour jet rentals. Personal trainers report that many of their clients are gaining weight because…

Jun 3, 2008 11:31 AM CDT

Texas Judge Returns 400-Plus FLDS Kids to Their Parents

After a Texas Supreme Court ruling Thursday that officials overstepped its authority by removing some 468 children from their homes at a ranch run by a religious sect that advocates polygamy, a judge signed an order (PDF) today returning custody to their parents. Families from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus…

Jun 2, 2008 7:58 PM CDT

Minn. Supreme Court Rules for Parents in Paddling Case

The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled for a couple who spanked their 12-year-old boy with a paddle, refusing to establish a bright-line rule that the infliction of pain constitutes physical injury or abuse. The court said there wasn’t enough information to determine whether the boy had been physically or mentally…

Jun 2, 2008 12:12 PM CDT

Still No Bed of Roses

Efforts to take the nastiness out of divorce proceedings haven’t reached a happy ending … yet

Jun 1, 2008 1:00 PM CDT

More than 400 FLDS Kids to Begin Returning Home on Monday

Updated: After a Texas Supreme Court ruling yesterday that more than 460 children were illegally removed from their parents’ custody at a ranch run by a religious sect that advocates polygamy, they will reportedly begin returning home on Monday. The return plan was agreed to by Texas Child Protective Services…

May 30, 2008 10:22 PM CDT

10 States Seek Calif. Gay Marriage Delay; Suit to Be Filed in N.Y.

Updated: Opposing forces are gearing up to fight a major battle over the right of same-sex couples to marry, centered on the recent decision by the California Supreme Court that the state constitution protects their right to do so. Following a directive by New York’s Democratic governor, David Paterson, that…

May 30, 2008 8:35 PM CDT