Family Law

Wedding Ring Coffin a ‘Must Have’ Gift, Divorce Lawyer Says

Looking for the perfect gift for a divorce attorney or a divorcing client? An Atlanta newspaper offers a possible suggestion: a wedding ring coffin. “When I heard about it, I went to the website and thought to myself, ‘Must have. Must have’,” divorce attorney Melody Richardson tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.…

Apr 8, 2008 5:17 PM CDT

State Takes Custody of 416 Children in Raid on Polygamist Ranch

Updated: In what is apparently the largest child abuse case in state history, officials in Texas have taken custody of 416 children from a Texas ranch run by followers of Warren Jeffs, the imprisoned leader of a fringe Mormon group that advocates polygamy. “Officials have completed removing all 416 children…

Apr 8, 2008 4:50 PM CDT

Ranch Run by Warren Jeffs Followers Raided in Texas Child Abuse Probe

In what may be the largest child abuse investigation in Texas history, state workers have removed nearly 200 children and a number of women from a ranch run by followers of Warren Jeffs, a leader of a fringe Mormon group that advocates polygamy. The ongoing operation, which began Thursday evening,…

Apr 7, 2008 5:40 PM CDT

Ark. Reinstates Minimum Marriage Age

It took a bit of time, but Arkansas has reinstated its minimum marriage age after becoming the butt of jokes when it inadvertently enacted legislation that would allow even toddlers to marry. The corrected legislation was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Mike Beebe, the Associated Press reports. At issue…

Apr 3, 2008 6:40 PM CDT

More Men Get Alimony as Stigma Lessens

As more men sacrifice their careers for their higher earning spouses, more are receiving court-ordered alimony. And more are willing to talk about it. The percentage of men receiving alimony rose to 3.6 percent in the five years ending in 2006, compared to 2.4 percent in the previous five-year period,…

Apr 1, 2008 1:38 PM CDT

Group Seeks Recall of Tree-Cutting Judge for ‘Evil Terrorism’ from the Bench

A recall petition against a California judge claims he inflicts “evil terrorism” from the bench and poses an “extreme danger to children and parents.” The recall targets Judge Peter McBrien of Sacramento for two decisions in 1998 and 1989 in which he is accused of placing children in the homes…

Mar 28, 2008 2:35 PM CDT

Legal Gender-Bender: Dad-to-Be Pregnant

How does the law relate to a pregnant dad? Some folks in a central Oregon resort town are about to find out. Originally born female, a transgender man in the city of Bend is now legally Thomas Beatie, married to Nancy. Because his wife had her uterus removed, however, and…

Mar 27, 2008 9:16 PM CDT

Judge Vacates Divorce, Giving Wife in Murder Case Military Benefits

An Oklahoma judge has vacated a divorce last month of a military couple, so that the wife can get government benefits following her then ex-husband’s murder of their two children. “Her attorneys said after the hearing the ruling was the only way the longtime stay-at-home mom could get any money…

Mar 27, 2008 5:36 PM CDT

Unusual Ohio Custody Case: Did Mom Fake Teen’s Illness?

Is Angie Cox a caring parent with an unhealthy teenager? Or is she an unusual mom who encourages doctors to diagnose nonexistent symptoms and illnesses in order to put herself in the spotlight as the parent of a seemingly ailing child? Those questions are front and center in an unusual…

Mar 25, 2008 9:52 AM CDT

Sperm Donor Who Claims Parental Rights Seeks Cert

A sperm donor who lost his bid for parental rights is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his appeal. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled against Daryl Hendrix in a 4-2 opinion released in October, the Associated Press reports. The court upheld a Kansas law that says sperm donors have…

Mar 21, 2008 2:30 PM CDT

Woman’s Boyfriend Charged in Stuck-Toilet-Seat Case

The bizarre case of a Kansas woman who sat on a toilet seat so long that it became stuck to her body has resulted in a criminal charge against a man alleged to be responsible. Kory McFarren, 37, who is reportedly the boyfriend of the woman stuck to the toilet,…

Mar 20, 2008 9:28 PM CDT

Top 10 Deadbeat Parents Targeted in Calif. County’s Most Wanted Poster

They’re reportedly the worst of the worst in Los Angeles County, owing between $63,000 and $427,000 in unpaid child support concerning a total of 17 children. So, under a new program unveiled today, these 10 individuals will be featured on a public most-wanted poster, reports the Los Angeles Times. In…

Mar 18, 2008 11:57 PM CDT

Why Heather Mills Got Merely $50M from Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney

Excepts from a ruling in the divorce case of former Beatle Paul McCartney help show why his estranged wife, Heather Mills, got a little under $50 million. She had reportedly been seeking $125 million from the top pop singing star, who was found by the judge to have a net…

Mar 18, 2008 3:59 PM CDT

Best Friend’s Ex Charged in Florida Attorney’s Murder

An attorney whose body was found in a canal near her South Florida home March 7 was murdered by her best friend’s estranged husband, police say. They have charged Tony Villegas, 44, in the death of lawyer Melissa Lewis, 39, and he was arraigned today, according to the Miami Herald.…

Mar 18, 2008 2:15 AM CDT

McCartney Ordered to Pay Ex $48.6M

Paul McCartney’s ex-wife, Heather Mills, will get $48.6 million in a divorce settlement. Mills is already holding assets worth $15.6 million, and she’ll get the rest of the award in a lump sum payment of $33 million, the Associated Press reports. She will also get $70,000 a year in child…

Mar 17, 2008 2:41 PM CDT