Family Law The Essentials

by Statsky, William P.

• ISBN13: 9781401848279
• ISBN10: 1401848273
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 11/18/2003
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

This is the essentials version of the market leader in family law (Statsky's Family Law, 4th, West, 1996). It is a briefer, less expensive paperback text ideal for shorter courses or for courses that supplement a paperback with state-specific material. Chapters 2-5, most of Chapter 1, all cases, appendices, and assignments that require library research have been eliminated in this version to provide concise, accurate coverage with an emphasis on practical paralegal skills and techniques. State-specific supplements are also available for Texas, New York, California, and Florida.ALSO AVAILABLECalifornia ISBN: 0-314-20594-2Florida ISBN: 0-314-20595-0New York ISBN: 0-314-20596-9Texas ISBN: 0-314-20597-7Study Guide ISBN: 0-314-20838-0INSTRUCTOR SUPPLEMENTS CALL CUSTOMER SUPPORT TO ORDERInstructors Manual(with Test Bank), ISBN: 0-314-20794-5

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
Chapter 1 Introduction to Family Law and Practice	1	(12)
Family Law in the Twenty-First Century	1	(3)
Equality of the Sexes: The Struggle Continues	1	(1)
Federalization of Family Law	2	(1)
The Contract Dimension of Family Law	3	(1)
Science and Law	3	(1)
Emerging Recognition of Gay Rights	3	(1)
The Scope of Family Law	4	(3)
Paralegal Roles in Family Law	7	(3)
Summary	10	(1)
On the Net	11	(2)
Chapter 2 Premarital Agreements and Cohabitation Agreements	13	(20)
Kinds of Agreements	13	(1)
Premarital Agreements	13	(8)
Valid Contract	14	(1)
Disclosure of Assets	15	(1)
Fairness and Unconscionability	15	(2)
Public Policy	17	(2)
Independent Counsel	19	(1)
Drafting Guidelines	19	(2)
Clauses in Premarital Agreements	21	(2)
Sample Premarital Agreement Clauses	21	(2)
Cohabitation Agreements	23	(8)
Express Contract	26	(1)
Implied Contract	26	(1)
Quasi Contract	26	(1)
Trust	27	(1)
Partnership	27	(1)
Joint Venture	27	(1)
Putative Spouse Doctrine	27	(2)
Sample Cohabitation Agreement	29	(2)
Summary	31	(1)
On the Net	32	(1)
Chapter 3 Traditional Marriage and Alternatives	33	(30)
Legal Issues Prior to Marriage	33	(4)
Breach of Promise to Marry	33	(1)
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress	34	(1)
Gifts	34	(3)
Contracts Restraining Marriage	37	(1)
Introduction to Marriage	37	(1)
Am I Married?: How the Marriage Issue Is Raised	38	(1)
Constitutional Limitation on Marriage Restrictions	38	(1)
Ceremonial Marriage	39	(2)
Covenant Marriage	41	(1)
Common Law Marriage	42	(4)
Conflict of Law	44	(1)
Impediment Removal	45	(1)
Putative Marriage	46	(1)
Same-Sex Relationships	47	(12)
Hawaii	50	(4)
Vermont	54	(4)
Lawrence v. Texas	58	(1)
Summary	59	(2)
On the Net	61	(2)
Chapter 4 Annulment	63	(24)
Annulment, Divorce, and Legal Separation	63	(1)
The Void/Voidable Distinction	64	(1)
Who Can Sue?	65	(1)
Overview of Grounds for Annulment	65	(1)
Grounds Relating to the Legal Capacity to Marry	65	(6)
Prior Existing Marriage (Bigamy)	65	(2)
Consanguinity and Affinity Limitations	67	(1)
Nonage	68	(1)
Physical Disabilities	69	(2)
Homosexual "Marriages"	71	(1)
Grounds Relating to the Intent to Marry	71	(8)
Sham Marriages	71	(2)
Mental Disabilities	73	(1)
Duress	74	(2)
Fraud	76	(3)
Conflict of Law	79	(3)
Marriage-Evasion Statutes	80	(2)
Consequences of an Annulment Decree	82	(3)
Legitimacy of Children from an Annulled Marriage	82	(1)
Alimony and Disposition of Property Acquired before the Marriage Was Annulled	82	(1)
Problems of Revival	83	(1)
Custody and Child Support	83	(1)
Inheritance	83	(1)
Workers' Compensation Benefits	84	(1)
Criminal Law Consequences	84	(1)
Interspousal Immunity in Tort Actions	84	(1)
Privilege for Marital Communications	84	(1)
Tax Return Status	84	(1)
Summary	85	(1)
On the Net	86	(1)
Chapter 5 Divorce Grounds and Procedure	87	(36)
Historical Background	87	(2)
No-Fault Grounds for Divorce	89	(5)
Living Apart	89	(2)
Incompatibility	91	(1)
Irreconcilable Differences, Irremediable Breakdown	92	(2)
Fault Grounds for Divorce	94	(1)
Adultery	94	(1)
Cruelty	94	(1)
Desertion	95	(1)
Others	95	(1)
Defenses to the Fault Grounds for Divorce	95	(1)
Judicial Separation	96	(1)
Separate Maintenance	97	(1)
Introduction to Divorce Procedure	98	(2)
Domicile	100	(2)
Jurisdiction	102	(7)
Kinds of Jurisdiction	103	(1)
Part of Divorce Decree Being Attacked	104	(1)
Person Attacking Divorce Decree	105	(1)
Court in Which Divorce Decree Is Being Attacked	105	(1)
How Jurisdiction Is Acquired	106	(1)
Jurisdictional Analysis: Examples	107	(1)
Venue	108	(1)
Pretrial Matters	109	(4)
Pleadings	109	(2)
Guardian Ad Litem	111	(1)
Waiting Period	111	(1)
Discovery	111	(1)
Preliminary Orders	112	(1)
Trial	113	(1)
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)	114	(3)
Arbitration	114	(1)
Rent-a Judge	114	(1)
Mediation	115	(1)
Med-Arb	115	(2)
Divorce Judgment	117	(2)
Enforcement of Divorce Judgment	119	(2)
Civil Contempt	119	(1)
Execution	119	(1)
Garnishment	119	(1)
Attachment	119	(1)
Posting Security	120	(1)
Receivership	120	(1)
Constructive Trust	120	(1)
Civil Unions	121	(1)
Summary	121	(1)
On the Net	122	(1)
Chapter 6 Spousal Support, Property Division, and the Separation Agreement	123	(52)
Separation Agreements and Litigation	123	(1)
Negotiation Factors	124	(1)
Checklists for the Preparation of a Separation Agreement	125	(2)
Uncovering Financial Assets	127	(11)
The Beginning of the Separation Agreement	138	(3)
Public Policy and Collusion	138	(2)
Capacity to Contract	140	(1)
Duress and Fraud	140	(1)
Consideration	141	(1)
Alimony Payments and Property Division: Introduction	141	(4)
Effect of Bankruptcy	142	(1)
Effect of Remarriage and Death	143	(1)
Availability of Contempt	144	(1)
Court's Power to Modify Terms	144	(1)
Federal Income Tax Treatment	144	(1)
Distinguishing between Alimony and Property Division	144	(1)
Alimony	145	(4)
Support Provisions in a Separation Agreement	146	(2)
Court-Ordered Alimony in the Absence of a Separation Agreement	148	(1)
Property Division: General Principles	149	(12)
Categorizing Property	149	(4)
What Property Is Divided and Who Gets What?	153	(2)
Dissipation	155	(1)
Pensions, Degrees, and Goodwill	155	(6)
Insurance	161	(1)
Debts	161	(1)
Taxes	162	(1)
Wills	163	(1)
Miscellaneous Provisions	163	(1)
Legal Expenses	163	(1)
Nonmolestation Clause	164	(1)
Modification of the Separation Agreement	164	(2)
Power to Modify	164	(1)
Exercising the Power to Modify	165	(1)
Arbitration and Mediation	166	(1)
Reconciliation	166	(2)
Sample Separation Agreements	168	(4)
Summary	172	(1)
On the Net	173	(2)
Chapter 7 Child Custody	175	(34)
Introduction	175	(1)
Kinds of Custody	176	(1)
Separation Agreement	177	(4)
Custody	177	(2)
Visitation	179	(2)
Contested Custody: Introduction	181	(3)
Parent vs. Parent	184	(9)
Court Discretion	185	(1)
Stability	185	(1)
Availability	185	(1)
Emotional Ties	186	(1)
Legal Preferences	187	(1)
Morality and Lifestyle	188	(1)
Domestic Violence	188	(1)
Religion	189	(1)
Race	189	(1)
Wishes of the Child	189	(1)
Expert Witnesses	190	(3)
Court Decision on Visitation	193	(3)
Introduction	193	(1)
Third-Party Visitation	193	(2)
Supervised Visitation	195	(1)
The New "Terror Weapon"	196	(1)
Biological Parent vs. Psychological Parent	197	(2)
Changing the Child's Surname	199	(1)
Modification of the Custody Order by the State That Issued the Order	199	(2)
Jurisdictional Problems and Child Snatching	201	(5)
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act	202	(3)
Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act	205	(1)
Children Abroad: Special Problems	206	(1)
Summary	207	(1)
On the Net	208	(1)
Chapter 8 Child Support	209	(26)
Introduction	209	(1)
Separation Agreement	210	(1)
Jurisdiction and the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act	211	(4)
Who Pays and How Much?	215	(4)
Cost of College	218	(1)
The Second Family	218	(1)
Modification of Child-Support Orders	219	(1)
Enforcement of Child-Support Orders	220	(11)
Introduction	220	(5)
Civil Contempt Proceeding	225	(1)
Execution	225	(1)
Prosecution for Criminal Nonsupport	226	(1)
Income Withholding	227	(1)
New Hire Reporting	227	(1)
License Denial or Revocation	228	(1)
Passport Denial	228	(1)
Federal Tax Refund Offset Program	228	(1)
Unemployment Compensation Intercept	229	(1)
Qualified Domestic Relations Order	229	(1)
Qualified Medical Child Support Order	230	(1)
Credit Bureau Referral (Credit Clouding)	230	(1)
Financial Institution Data Match ("Freeze and Seize")	230	(1)
Posting Security	230	(1)
Protective Order	230	(1)
Improper Enforcement	231	(1)
Necessaries	232	(1)
Summary	232	(1)
On the Net	233	(2)
Chapter 9 Tax Consequences of Separation and Divorce	235	(16)
The Role of Tax Law in the Bargaining Process	235	(1)
Alimony	236	(6)
Deductible Alimony: The Seven Tests	237	(3)
The Recapture Rule: Front Loading of Payments	240	(2)
Property Division	242	(3)
Tax Consequences of a Property Division	243	(1)
Property Transfers Covered	244	(1)
Legal and Related Fees in Obtaining a Divorce	245	(1)
Innocent Spouse Relief	245	(1)
Marriage Penalty	246	(2)
Summary	248	(1)
On the Net	249	(2)
Chapter 10 The Legal Rights of Women	251	(18)
The Status of Women at Common Law	251	(1)
Owning and Disposing of Property	252	(1)
Contracts and Conveyances	252	(1)
Death of the Husband	253	(1)
Dower	253	(1)
Right of Election	253	(1)
Name	253	(1)
Credit	254	(1)
Employment	255	(2)
Job Discrimination	255	(1)
Sexual Harassment	256	(1)
Enforcement	256	(1)
Sexuality and Reproductive Rights	257	(3)
Contraception	258	(1)
Sterilization	258	(1)
Abortion	258	(2)
The Battered Wife	260	(4)
Marital Rape	264	(1)
Client Sensitivity	264	(3)
Summary	267	(1)
On the Net	268	(1)
Chapter 11 Illegitimacy and Paternity Proceedings	269	(12)
Illegitimacy	269	(3)
Inheritance	270	(1)
Testate Distribution	270	(1)
Support	270	(1)
Wrongful Death	270	(1)
Workers' Compensation	270	(1)
Social Security	270	(1)
Artificial Insemination	271	(1)
Legitimation and Paternity	272	(6)
Legitimation	272	(1)
Paternity	273	(5)
Summary	278	(2)
On the Net	280	(1)
Chapter 12 The Legal Status of Children	281	(8)
Age of Majority and Emancipation	281	(1)
Contracts	282	(1)
Property and Earnings	283	(1)
Domicile	283	(1)
Estates	284	(1)
Education	284	(1)
Neglect and Abuse	284	(3)
Delinquency	287	(1)
Summary	287	(1)
On the Net	288	(1)
Chapter 13 Adoption	289	(26)
Introduction	289	(2)
Kinds of Adoption	291	(2)
Agency Adoption	291	(1)
Independent/Private Adoption	291	(2)
Black Market Adoption	293	(1)
Who May Be Adopted?	293	(1)
Who May Adopt?	294	(3)
Adoption Procedure	297	(10)
Jurisdiction and Venue	297	(1)
Petition	297	(1)
Notice	298	(1)
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children	299	(1)
Consent	299	(2)
Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights	301	(2)
Placement	303	(1)
Can Children Divorce Their Parents?	303	(1)
Challenges to the Adoption Decree	303	(1)
Baby Richard	304	(1)
Baby Jessica	305	(1)
Putative Father Registry	305	(2)
Consequences of Adoption	307	(1)
Confidentiality	308	(3)
Equitable Adoption	311	(1)
Wrongful Adoption	311	(1)
Summary	312	(1)
On the Net	313	(2)
Chapter 14 The New Science of Motherhood	315	(16)
Introduction	315	(3)
The Status of Frozen Embryos	318	(2)
Stem-Cell Research	320	(1)
Surrogacy Contracts	321	(7)
Summary	328	(2)
On the Net	330	(1)
Chapter 15 Torts and Family Law	331	(12)
Introduction	331	(1)
Intrafamily Torts	332	(1)
Wrongful Life, Birth, and Pregnancy	333	(2)
Wrongful Adoption	335	(1)
Consortium and Services	335	(2)
Loss of Consortium	335	(2)
Loss of Services	337	(1)
Other Torts	337	(1)
Alienation of Affections	337	(1)
Criminal Conversation	337	(1)
Enticement of Spouse	337	(1)
Abduction or Enticement of a Child	338	(1)
Seduction	338	(1)
Vicarious Liability of Family Members	338	(2)
Summary	340	(1)
On the Net	341	(2)
Glossary	343	(14)
Index	357