Family Law Overview

Family law generally concerns domestic relations and family-related matters such as marriage, civil unions, domestic partnerships, adoptions, paternity, guardianships, domestic abuse, surrogacy, child custody, child abduction, the dissolution of marriage and associated issues. According to U.S. Census data the make-up of the American family has been changing. For instance, the 2000 Census revealed that less than a quarter of American families are married couples with minor children compared with 45% of such households in 1960.

A large percentage of marriages end in separation or divorce. When a couple decides to terminate their marriage, one of the parties will petition the court for a divorce. Besides seeking a legal termination of the relationship, the couple will also ask the court to divide the marital assets, grant child custody to one or both parents, and impose child and spousal support obligations, if applicable.

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Featured Cases AddThis Feed Button

  • Uzamere v. Bush, et al
    Plaintiff Cheryl D. Uzamere alleges that Defendants government officials failed to act on her report that her husband Ehigie Edobor a/k/a Godwin Uzamere entered into a sham marriage with her and committed bigamy by marrying another woman at the same time.
    New York Eastern District Court
    Plaintiff
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Plaintiff: Cheryl D. Uzamere Defendant: George W. Bush, Condoleeza Rice, Michael Mukasey, Michael Chertoff, Dr. Emilio T. Gonzalez and others...
    Last Docket Report Change Found: April 25, 2008

    (April 24, 2008)

Legislation AddThis Feed Button

  • Bill Introduced: S.2787 Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009
    A bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2009, and for other purposes.


    (March 29, 2008)
  • Bill Introduced: S.Con.Res.70 Budget resolution FY2009
    An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2009 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 through 2013.


    (March 5, 2008)
  • Bill Introduced: H.Con.Res.312 Budget resolution FY2009
    Revising the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2009, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2010 through 2013.


    (March 5, 2008)
  • Bill Signed by President: H.R.4986 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008
    To provide for the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, as previously enrolled, with certain modifications to address the foreign sovereign immunities provisions of title 28, United States Code, with respect to the attachment of property in certain judgements against Iraq, the lapse of statutory authorities for the payment of bonuses, special pays, and similar benefits for members of the uniformed services, and for other purposes.

    January 28, 2008: Signed by President.
    (January 26, 2008)
  • Bill Enacted: H.R.2640 NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007
    To improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and for other purposes.

    January 08, 2008: Became Public Law No: 110-180.
    (January 6, 2008)

Regulations AddThis Feed Button

    Government AddThis Feed Button

    • Notice - Privacy Act: Systems of records
      Child Support Enforcement Office
      Notice
      Privacy Act:
      Systems of records,
      21200-21203 [05-8214]
      DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS) Office of Child Support Enforcement Privacy Act of 1974; Amended System of Records AGENCY: Office of Child Support Enforcement, ACF, HHS. ACTION: Notice of amended system of records. SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirement of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) is publishing notice of its amendment of its systems of records entitled ``The Location and Collection System'', No. 09-90-0074. DATES:... [read document]
      View Document | Download PDF

      (April 24, 2005)

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    Google News & Tags: divorce alimony spousal-support law lawyer attorney

    Blog Posts AddThis Feed Button

    • The people behind the bar
      Although the details of how and why are yet to emerge, the news about Mark Saunders' death is quite shocking for those of us at the family bar, which is a relatively small community. However, I don't intend to speculate about what has happened - it is undoubtedly a very private tragedy for both Mark Saunders, [...]
      (May 8, 2008)
    • Uncontested Divorce: Comparing Nevada and Indiana
      I know of the old reputation of Nevada as a destination for quickie divorces and I have to wonder if that explains what I found on the Ciciliano Law Blog. Indiana makes a big deal about promoting agreements settling divorce cases but Indiana does not specifically recognize a joint divorce petition and still requires the 60 day cooling off period - even if the parties have agreed to everything including the divorce. (See IC 31-15-2-13). Reading UNCONTESTED DIVORCES shows things are a bit...
      (May 8, 2008)
    • How many possessions do you need?
      Sorry I have not been blogging much recently but I am expecting a baby and I have been busy knitting!!!!! When people get divorced there can be many areas of dispute - the divorce itself (pointless) the children ( heartbreaking) the matrimonial finances ( often disproportionate) domestic violence and injunctions ( necessary because the police are sporadic in their approach). Most people worry about what their rights are. They argue over the spoils of the past and sacrifice present and future...
      (May 8, 2008)
    • Atheist Father Who Objected To Son Attending Catholic High School Appeals Ruling
      We briefly mentioned Andrew Wolfson's article in the Courier-Journal here. As an update here is his follow up piece reporting that Judge Timothy Feeley permitted the teenager's mother to make his school decision. An appeal to the Kentucky Court of Appeals has been filed.
      (May 8, 2008)
    • Gaskill v. Robbins Ky Supreme Court Oral Arguments Set June 11, 2008
      Having access to case status throughout the pipeline is enabling lawyers to be better advocates. How? Well, if you represent a physician, do you think you want to try that case before Gaskill v. Robbins is decided? And, if you must mediate or try your case before then, perhaps the oral arguments may help you get a feel for where the law is headed. On June 8, 2008 at 10am the Kentucky Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Gaskill v. Robbins. We have posted about this case involving business...
      (May 7, 2008)