Family Law

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

Difficult Fight Likely for Opponents of N.Y. Gay Marriage Recognition

Legal challenges are likely to a New York policy recognizing gay marriages performed elsewhere, but success isn’t as assured. That’s the conclusion of a New York Times analysis of the decision by Gov. David Paterson to require state agencies to recognize such unions. The action will affect everything from the…

May 30, 2008 10:44 AM CDT

Supreme Texas Win for FLDS Moms: State Shouldn’t Have Taken 400-Plus Kids

Updated: Texas illegally removed more than 400 children from a ranch run by a religious sect that advocates polygamy and sent them to foster homes last month, a majority of the Texas Supreme Court decided today. The ruling is a stunning victory for about 40 mothers and their roughly 126…

May 29, 2008 9:15 PM CDT

Celebrity Divorce Case: Bill Murray’s Wife Cites Booze, Pot, Adultery

The wife of actor and comedian Bill Murray has filed for divorce, contending that the former Saturday Night Live mainstay has physically abused her, has had affairs, is addicted to alcohol and marijuana and has abandoned her. A premarital agreement attached to her South Carolina filing provides for a $7…

May 29, 2008 7:05 PM CDT

New York Agencies Told to Recognize Out-of-State Gay Marriages

A directive from the governor’s office tells state agencies in New York to recognize gay marriages legally performed elsewhere. Citing a state appellate ruling, the legal counsel for Gov. David Paterson told agencies that married gay couples deserve the same protection as those in other legal unions, the New York…

May 29, 2008 10:41 AM CDT

Sent Home With Wrong Family, Now-Adult Twin Sues

An identical twin who discovered, as an adult, that she had been sent home from a Canary Islands hospital in Spain with the wrong family has sued over the alleged mix-up. Now 35, the unnamed woman discovered she had a twin when she was mistaken for her sister by a…

May 28, 2008 3:34 PM CDT

Texas to Appeal Decision Calling for Return of 468 FLDS Kids to Parents

Told by an appellate court yesterday that government officials illegally removed up to 468 children from the custody of parents living at a ranch run by a fundamentalist religious group, Texas will now appeal that ruling to the state’s highest court. The State Department of Family and Protective Services plans…

May 23, 2008 7:13 PM CDT