TABLE OF CONTENTS ————— PREFACE ................................................................................................................ V ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................ XI TABLE OF CASES ................................................................................................. XLI Chapter 1. Marriage, Family and Privacy in Contemporary America ....................................................................................................... 1 1. The American Family Today ....................................................................... 4 A. Changing Family Patterns, Changing Norms .................................... 4 Isabel V. Sawhill, Generation Unbound: Drifting into Sex and Parenthood Without Marriage ..................................................... 4 Notes and Questions ............................................................................ 7 B. Two Americas: The Importance of Social and Demographic Differences ............................................................................................ 8 Notes and Questions .......................................................................... 10 2. Families and the Law: Public Law ............................................................ 11 A. The Purposes of Family Law ............................................................. 12 Linda C. McClain, The Functions of Family Law ............................ 12 Notes and Questions .......................................................................... 13 B. Defining the Family ........................................................................... 13 Moore v. City of East Cleveland ........................................................ 13 Notes and Questions .......................................................................... 20 Problem 1–1 ........................................................................................ 21 Problem 1–2 ........................................................................................ 21 3. Families and the Law: The Right of Privacy ............................................ 22 A. The Right to Contraception ............................................................... 23 Griswold v. Connecticut ..................................................................... 24 Notes and Questions .......................................................................... 33 Eisenstadt v. Baird ............................................................................. 35 Notes and Questions .......................................................................... 42 B. The Right to Same-Sex Intimate Relationships ............................... 44 Lawrence v. Texas .............................................................................. 45 Notes and Questions .......................................................................... 54 Problem 1–3 ........................................................................................ 56 4. The Status and Conditions of Family Law Practice ................................ 57 A. The Legal System’s Approach to Family Law Disputes .................. 59 Jana Singer, Dispute Resolution and the Postdivorce Family: Implications of a Paradigm Shift ............................................... 59 Notes and Questions .......................................................................... 62 B. Family Law Practice .......................................................................... 63 Chapter 2. Entering Marriage ..................................................................... 65 1. Substantive Requirements for Entry into Marriage ................................ 66

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4.

5. 6.

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Freedom to Marry The Person One Loves: Race .............................. 67 Loving v. Virginia ............................................................................... 68 Notes and Questions .......................................................................... 70 B. Can the Right to Marry Be Abridged? .............................................. 72 Zablocki v. Redhail ............................................................................. 72 Notes and Questions .......................................................................... 80 C. The Freedom to Marry the Person One Loves: Gender ................... 82 1. Challenges to the One Man-One Woman Definition of Marriage ...................................................................................... 82 2. The Obergefell Decision ........................................................... 87 Obergefell v. Hodges ................................................................... 87 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 108 Polygamy: The Next Frontier? ................................................................ 109 A. Introduction: Polygamy in Historical and Contemporary Context .............................................................................................. 110 B. Contemporary Constitutional Challenges to the Bar on Polygamy ........................................................................................... 112 State v. Holm .................................................................................... 112 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 122 Problem 2–1 ...................................................................................... 124 Problem 2–2 ...................................................................................... 124 Incestuous Marriage ................................................................................ 125 Smith v. State ........................................................................................... 126 Notes and Questions ................................................................................ 129 Problem 2–3 .............................................................................................. 133 Consent to Marriage................................................................................. 133 In re Estate of Santolino .......................................................................... 133 Notes and Questions ................................................................................ 135 Problem 2–4 .............................................................................................. 139 Minimum Age at Marriage ...................................................................... 139 Problem 2–5 .............................................................................................. 140 Marriage Formalities ............................................................................... 140 Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act ......................................................... 141 Notes and Questions ................................................................................ 142 Problem 2–6 .............................................................................................. 146 Problem 2–7 .............................................................................................. 146 Common-Law Marriage ........................................................................... 146 In re Estate of Hunsaker ......................................................................... 149 Notes and Questions ................................................................................ 155 Problem 2–8 .............................................................................................. 157 The Putative Spouse Doctrine ................................................................. 157 Williams v. Williams ................................................................................ 158 Notes and Questions ................................................................................ 161

Chapter 3. Social and Economic Rights and Obligations ................... 163 1. Changing Views on the Legal, Social, and Economic Status of Women ...................................................................................................... 163

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The Common Law ............................................................................. 163 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England ....... 163 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 165 B. Family Names ................................................................................... 166 Note and Question ............................................................................ 168 Problem 3–1 ...................................................................................... 168 C. Women’s Contemporary Legal Status ............................................. 168 1. Women’s Changing Legal Status ............................................. 169 Herma Hill Kay, From the Second Sex to the Joint Venture: An Overview of Women’s Rights and Family Law in the United States During the Twentieth Century............................................................ 169 Note and Question .................................................................... 172 2. Constitutional Law ................................................................... 172 United States v. Virginia ......................................................... 174 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 181 Work and Family: Domestic and Economic Roles .................................. 181 A. Introduction ...................................................................................... 181 U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Highlights of Women’s Earnings in 2013....................................................... 182 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 183 Suzanne M. Bianchi, Family Change and Time Allocation in American Families .................................................................... 184 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 186 B. The Law ............................................................................................. 186 1. The Family and Medical Leave Act ......................................... 187 The Family and Medical Leave Act ......................................... 187 Catalyst, Family Leave—U.S., Canada, and Global .............. 189 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 192 2. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and Other Protections for New Mothers ................................................... 193 Problem 3–2 .............................................................................. 194 Problem 3–3 .............................................................................. 194 3. Discrimination Based on Family Responsibilities .................. 194 Cynthia Thomas Calvert, Family Responsibilities Discrimination: Litigation Update 2010 ......................... 194 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 196 Interspousal Support Obligations ........................................................... 197 A. The General Support Obligation ..................................................... 197 1. The Traditional View of Support Obligations ......................... 197 McGuire v. McGuire ................................................................. 197 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 201 2. The Necessaries Doctrine ......................................................... 202 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 204 Problem 3–4 .............................................................................. 205 B. Spousal Property Distribution Upon Death ................................... 205 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 205

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Medical Decisionmaking for One’s Spouse ............................................. 207 A. The Right of Married Women to Control Their Pregnancies ......... 207 Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey ....... 207 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 216 B. Casey’s Vitality ................................................................................. 217 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 223 C. The Delegation of Medical Decisionmaking for Incompetent Adults ................................................................................................ 224 Confidential Relationship: Evidentiary Privileges ................................. 228 Notes and Questions ................................................................................ 229 Federal Law and Family Finances .......................................................... 231 A. The Financial Instability of the American Family ......................... 232 Elizabeth Warren, The New Economics of the American Family........................................................................................ 233 Notes.................................................................................................. 234 B. Taxes and Family Forms ................................................................. 236 Anne L. Alstott, Updating the Welfare State: Marriage, the Income Tax, and Social Security in the Age of Individualism ............................................................................ 238 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 245

Chapter 4. Nonmarital Couples................................................................. 249 1. Intent (Contract-Based Agreements) ...................................................... 252 A. Establishing Rights .......................................................................... 252 Marvin v. Marvin .............................................................................. 252 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 258 B. Types of Claims ................................................................................ 259 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 262 C. Newer Approaches to Nonmarital Cohabitation ............................ 263 Dee v. Rakower ................................................................................. 263 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 267 2. Status-Based Property Rights ................................................................. 268 A. Case Law ........................................................................................... 269 Fleming v. Spencer ........................................................................... 269 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 273 B. Model Legislation? ............................................................................ 274 American Law Institute Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution: Analysis and Recommendations ......................... 274 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 276 Problem 4–1 ...................................................................................... 278 Problem 4–2 ...................................................................................... 278 Problem 4–3 ...................................................................................... 278 Problem 4–4 ...................................................................................... 278 3. Other Incidents of Nonmarital Cohabitation ......................................... 279 Notes and Questions ................................................................................ 280 4. Domestic Partnerships, Civil Unions, and Other Legal Statuses ......... 281 A. Domestic Partnerships ..................................................................... 282

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The History of Domestic Partnerships .................................... 282 Legal Incidents: What? Who? How? Why? .............................. 283 Why Does the Label Matter? ................................................... 284 The Place of Domestic Partnerships in the Evolution of Marriage Equality .................................................................... 285 Civil Unions ...................................................................................... 285 1. The Emergence of Civil Unions ............................................... 285 2. What Are Civil Unions? Who May Enter into Them? ............ 286 3. The Place of Civil Unions in the Evolution of Marriage Equality ..................................................................................... 287 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 288 Reciprocal and Designated Beneficiaries ........................................ 289 John G. Culhane, After Marriage Equality, What’s Next for Relationship Recognition? ........................................................ 290 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 293 Problem 4–5 ...................................................................................... 293 Problem 4–6 ...................................................................................... 294

Chapter 5. Establishing Parenthood ....................................................... 295 1. Marriage and Biology ............................................................................... 295 A. The Constitutional Framework ....................................................... 296 1. The Marital Presumption ......................................................... 298 Michael H. v. Gerald D. ............................................................ 298 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 314 2. Paternity and Infants ............................................................... 315 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 317 B. Statutory Approaches to Recognizing Parents ............................... 318 1. The Uniform Parentage Act: Marital and Nonmarital Parents ...................................................................................... 318 Uniform Parentage Act ............................................................ 318 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 320 2. State Efforts to Protect Fathers: Voluntary Paternity Registration Systems ................................................................ 321 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 322 Problem 5–1 .............................................................................. 323 Problem 5–2 .............................................................................. 323 C. The Marital Presumption Today ..................................................... 324 Wendy G-M. v. Erin G-M. ................................................................ 324 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 326 Problem 5–3 ...................................................................................... 326 2. Beyond Marriage and Biology ................................................................. 326 A. Assisted Reproductive Technology .................................................. 327 1. Introduction .............................................................................. 327 Marsha Garrison, Law Making for Baby Making: An Interpretive Approach to the Determination of Legal Parentage .......................................................................... 327 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 330

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Problem 5–4 .............................................................................. 331 Donor Gametes ......................................................................... 331 Uniform Parentage Act ............................................................ 332 Note and Questions .................................................................. 334 K.M. v. E.G. ............................................................................... 335 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 340 3. Surrogacy .................................................................................. 341 a. Genetic Surrogacy ............................................................. 341 b. Gestational Surrogacy ...................................................... 342 J.F. v. D.B. ......................................................................... 343 Notes and Questions ......................................................... 347 Problem 5–5....................................................................... 348 De Facto Parenthood ........................................................................ 350 1. Full Parenting Rights to Functional Parents ......................... 350 a. Statutory Approaches ....................................................... 351 Notes and Questions ......................................................... 352 b. Common Law Approaches ................................................ 352 In the Matter of the Custody of B.M.H. .......................... 353 Notes and Questions ......................................................... 356 2. Quasi-Parental Status .............................................................. 357 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 358 Problem 5–6 .............................................................................. 359 Adoption ............................................................................................ 359 Joan Hollinger, Adoption in America Today................................... 359 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 360 Problem 5–7 ...................................................................................... 361 Three Parents ................................................................................... 361 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 362 Problem 5–8 ...................................................................................... 362 Problem 5–9 ...................................................................................... 363 Disestablishing Parenthood ............................................................. 363 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 364 Problem 5–10 .................................................................................... 365 2.

B.

C.

D.

E.

Chapter 6. Adoption ..................................................................................... 367 1. Historical Background and the Contemporary Landscape ................... 368 Jamil S. Zainaldin, The Emergence of a Modern American Family Law: Child Custody, Adoption, and the Courts, 1796–1851 .......... 368 2. How May a Child Be Adopted? ................................................................ 369 A. Public Agencies, Private Agencies, and Private Placements ......... 370 Barbara Fedders, Race and Market Values in Domestic Infant Adoption .................................................................................... 370 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 371 A Note on the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children ..................................................................................... 372 B. Consent and Notice .......................................................................... 373 1. Basic Standards ........................................................................ 373

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4.

Minor Parents’ Consents .......................................................... 375 Revoking Consent ..................................................................... 375 Notice ......................................................................................... 376 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 376 C. Eligibility to Adopt ........................................................................... 376 B.L. v. J.S. ......................................................................................... 377 Note and Questions .......................................................................... 380 D. The Best Interests Standard ........................................................... 381 1. The Investigation, Home Study, and Probationary Period .... 381 2. Applying the Best Interests Standard..................................... 382 Problem 6–1 .............................................................................. 387 A Note About “Equitable Adoption” ........................................ 387 Issues in Contemporary Adoption Law and Policy ................................ 388 A. Transracial Adoption ........................................................................ 388 1. A Bit of History ......................................................................... 388 2. The Ongoing Debate ................................................................. 390 Note and Questions .................................................................. 391 B. Native American Adoption............................................................... 391 C. Religion ............................................................................................. 392 D. International Adoption ..................................................................... 394 Notes.................................................................................................. 395 E. Baby Selling ...................................................................................... 396 State v. Brown .................................................................................. 397 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 399 Kimberly D. Krawiec, Altruism and Intermediation in the Market for Babies ..................................................................... 400 Note ................................................................................................... 402 The Aftermath of Adoption ...................................................................... 402 A. Post-Adoption Disputes .................................................................... 402 Note and Questions .......................................................................... 404 B. The Rise and Decline of Closed Adoption ....................................... 404 1. Closed Adoption ........................................................................ 404 2. Open Adoption .......................................................................... 406 Adoption of Ilona....................................................................... 407 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 409 3. Adoptees’ Right to “Learn Their Roots” .................................. 410 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 412

Chapter 7. Civil and Criminal Remedies for Family Injury .............. 415 1. Domestic Violence .................................................................................... 415 A. What Is Domestic Violence? ............................................................. 417 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 419 B. Civil Protection Orders .................................................................... 421 1. Seeking a Civil Protection Order ............................................. 421 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 425 Problem 7–1 .............................................................................. 426 Problem 7–2 .............................................................................. 426

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Problem 7–3 .............................................................................. 426 Issuing a Civil Protection Order .............................................. 426 Questions ................................................................................... 427 Cavanaugh v. Cavanaugh ........................................................ 427 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 431 3. Effectiveness of Civil Protection Orders ................................. 433 Sally Goldfarb, Reconceiving Civil Protection Orders for Domestic Violence: Can Law Help End the Abuse Without Ending the Relationship? .................................. 434 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 436 4. Enforcing Civil Protection Orders ........................................... 436 Castle Rock v. Gonzales ........................................................... 436 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 446 A Note on Battered Woman’s Syndrome ................................. 447 C. The Criminal Justice Response ....................................................... 448 1. Arrest ......................................................................................... 448 2. Prosecution ................................................................................ 451 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 452 D. Other Domestic Violence Issues ...................................................... 453 1. Gender Inequality ..................................................................... 453 2. LGBT Inequality ....................................................................... 454 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 454 3. Alternative Dispute Resolution ............................................... 455 4. Restorative Justice ................................................................... 456 5. Marital Rape ............................................................................. 456 Note ........................................................................................... 458 6. The Federal Violence Against Women Act .............................. 458 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 459 7. Impact on Children ................................................................... 460 8. Prevention ................................................................................. 462 Tort Law.................................................................................................... 463 A. The Contemporary Retreat from Family Tort Immunities ........... 464 1. Interspousal Tort Immunity .................................................... 465 Bozman v. Bozman ................................................................... 466 Note and Questions .................................................................. 470 2. Parent-Child Tort Immunity ................................................... 470 Herzfeld v. Herzfeld .................................................................. 471 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 474 B. Intra-Family Torts............................................................................ 475 Feltmeier v. Feltmeier...................................................................... 477 Note and Questions .......................................................................... 481 Hakkila v. Hakkila ........................................................................... 481 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 485 C. Tort Recovery Against Third Parties .............................................. 488 1. Heart Balm Torts ...................................................................... 489 Brown v. Strum ......................................................................... 489 Note ........................................................................................... 492 2.

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Helsel v. Noellsch...................................................................... 493 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 496 Problem 7–4 .............................................................................. 497 Loss of Consortium ................................................................... 498 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 499

Chapter 8. Divorce........................................................................................ 501 1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 501 2. Divorce in Historical Context .................................................................. 504 3. Modern Grounds for Divorce ................................................................... 507 4. Fault-Based Divorce ................................................................................. 509 A. Fault Grounds ................................................................................... 509 1. Physical Cruelty........................................................................ 509 Das v. Das ................................................................................. 510 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 514 2. Mental Cruelty .......................................................................... 514 3. Adultery ..................................................................................... 515 Mick-Skaggs v. Skaggs ............................................................. 517 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 522 4. Desertion ................................................................................... 526 B. Fault-Based Bars and Defenses ...................................................... 527 1. Recrimination ........................................................................... 527 2. Provocation ................................................................................ 527 3. Connivance ................................................................................ 528 4. Condonation .............................................................................. 528 In re Marriage of Hightower .................................................... 528 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 529 5. Collusion .................................................................................... 530 Problem 8–1 .............................................................................. 530 5. No-Fault Divorce ...................................................................................... 531 A. Exclusive No-Fault Regimes ............................................................ 531 B. Mixed Fault/No-Fault Regimes ....................................................... 533 C. Living Separate and Apart .............................................................. 535 Frey v. Frey ....................................................................................... 536 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 538 D. Irretrievable Breakdown .................................................................. 541 Richter v. Richter ............................................................................. 542 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 544 Problem 8–2 ...................................................................................... 546 6. Questioning No-Fault Divorce ................................................................. 547 End No-Fault Divorce? ............................................................................. 548 William J. Doherty & Leah Ward Sears, Second Chances: A Proposal to Reduce Unnecessary Divorce ................................... 552 Notes and Questions ................................................................................ 558 Problem 8–3 .............................................................................................. 563 7. Annulment ................................................................................................ 564 A. Grounds for Annulment ................................................................... 565

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Effects of Annulment ........................................................................ 565 Splawn v. Splawn ............................................................................. 566 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 567 Legal Separation ...................................................................................... 569

Chapter 9. Division of Marital Property at Dissolution ..................... 573 1. Property Regimes During Marriage and at Divorce .............................. 575 A. Title Theory....................................................................................... 575 B. Community Property ........................................................................ 576 C. Property Regimes Governing Dissolution ....................................... 577 1. A Sample Equitable Distribution Regime ............................... 578 2. A Sample Community Property Regime ................................. 579 3. Hotchpot, or “Kitchen Sink,” Jurisdictions ............................. 580 4. Proposal for Reform: The ALI Principles ................................ 581 American Law Institute, Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution: Analysis and Recommendations ................. 581 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 581 2. Characterization and Treatment of Separate Assets............................. 582 A. Characterization of Assets ............................................................... 583 Nack v. Edwards Nack ..................................................................... 584 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 591 B. Appreciation of Separate Property During the Marriage .............. 595 Middendorf v. Middendorf ............................................................... 596 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 598 3. The Contributions of Homemakers ......................................................... 600 Questions .................................................................................................. 602 Problem 9–1 .............................................................................................. 602 4. The New Property and Its Common Forms ............................................ 603 A. Intellectual Property ........................................................................ 604 B. Professional Licenses, Professional Degrees and Future Earning Capacity .............................................................................. 605 C. Pension Plans and Retirement Accounts ........................................ 606 D. Stock Options .................................................................................... 608 E. Business Goodwill and Other Small Business Issues .................... 609 F. Personal Injury: Disability Pensions and Tort Recoveries ............ 610 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 611 5. Valuation, Distribution and Enforcement .............................................. 612 Crider v. Crider ........................................................................................ 614 Notes and Questions ................................................................................ 625 6. What Distribution Is Equitable? ............................................................. 629 A. An Equitable Distribution Statute .................................................. 629 Note ................................................................................................... 631 B. Uneven Division of Assets................................................................ 631 Ketterle v. Ketterle ........................................................................... 632 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 635 Problem 9–2 ...................................................................................... 640 Problem 9–3 ...................................................................................... 641

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Debts and Bankruptcy ............................................................................. 642 A. Allocating Debts Accrued During Marriage ................................... 642 Sunkidd Venture, Inc. v. Snyder-Entel ........................................... 643 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 646 B. The Impact of Post-Divorce Bankruptcy Filing .............................. 649 Phegley v. Phegley ............................................................................ 650 Notes.................................................................................................. 654 Have We Achieved Equity? ...................................................................... 657 Questions .................................................................................................. 658

Chapter 10. Alimony .................................................................................... 661 1. Overview ................................................................................................... 661 A. The History of Alimony .................................................................... 662 1. Changing Views of Alimony ..................................................... 662 Mary Kay Kisthardt, Re-Thinking Alimony: The AAML’s Considerations for Calculating Alimony, Spousal Support or Maintenance ................................................... 662 Note and Question .................................................................... 664 2. Alimony and Gender ................................................................. 664 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 666 B. The Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act ......................................... 666 Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act ................................................. 666 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 667 2. Justifications for Alimony ........................................................................ 668 A. Rationales for Alimony Awards ....................................................... 668 Cynthia Starnes, The Marriage Buyout: The Troubled Trajectory of U.S. Alimony Law .............................................. 668 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 671 B. The ALI Approach: Compensation for Loss .................................... 671 American Law Institute, Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution: Analysis and Recommendations ......................... 672 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 673 Problem 10–1 .................................................................................... 674 3. How Should Courts Award Alimony? ..................................................... 674 A. Determining Alimony Awards ......................................................... 674 N.J. Stat. § 2A:34–23 ........................................................................ 675 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 676 1. Evaluating Factors ................................................................... 677 Parisien v. Parisien .................................................................. 677 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 680 2. Income Equalization ................................................................. 681 In re Marriage of Brankin ........................................................ 681 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 685 Problem 10–2 ............................................................................ 686 3. Establishing Alimony Guidelines ............................................ 687 Mass. Gen. L. Ch. 208 .............................................................. 687 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 688

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The Form of Alimony ........................................................................ 689 Problem 10–3 .................................................................................... 691 Problem 10–4 .................................................................................... 691 Enforcement of Alimony Awards ............................................................. 691 A. Methods for Enforcing Alimony Awards ......................................... 691 1. Means of Enforcement .............................................................. 692 2. Private Enforcement Methods ................................................. 692 3. Enforcement for Military Personnel ........................................ 693 4. Attachment of Wages ............................................................... 693 Modification and Termination of Alimony .............................................. 693 A. Modification ...................................................................................... 694 Martindale v. Martindale ................................................................. 695 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 697 Problem 10–5 .................................................................................... 698 Problem 10–6 .................................................................................... 698 B. Termination ...................................................................................... 698 Mass. Gen. L. Ch. 208, § 49 ............................................................. 699 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 700 Problem 10–7 .................................................................................... 701 Tax Consequences of Alimony ................................................................. 702 26 C.F.R. § 1.71–1T .................................................................................. 703 Notes and Questions ................................................................................ 703 Problem 10–8 ............................................................................................ 704

Chapter 11. Child Support ......................................................................... 705 1. The Contemporary Landscape and Future Challenges ......................... 705 Elaine Sorensen, Child Support Plays an Increasingly Important Role for Poor Custodial Families ..................................................... 707 Note ........................................................................................................... 709 2. The Nature of the Child Support Obligation .......................................... 709 A. The Source of the Obligation ........................................................... 709 State ex rel. Hermesmann v. Seyer ................................................. 709 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 711 B. The Support Obligations of Persons Other than Biological Parents .............................................................................................. 714 Problem 11–1 .................................................................................... 718 Problem 11–2 .................................................................................... 719 Problem 11–3 .................................................................................... 719 C. Post-Majority Support Obligations ................................................. 719 1. Support During Post-Secondary Education ............................ 720 Pamela T. v. Marc B. ................................................................ 721 Questions ................................................................................... 726 2. Support for Adult Children with Disabilities ......................... 726 Hastings v. Hastings ................................................................ 727 Questions ................................................................................... 728 3. The Federalization of Child Support....................................................... 728

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The Operation of State Child Support Guidelines ................................. 730 A. What Is “Income”? ............................................................................ 730 1. The Guidelines Definition ........................................................ 730 Kentucky Revised Statutes ...................................................... 730 Questions ................................................................................... 731 2. Imputing Income to an Unemployed or Underemployed Parent ........................................................................................ 731 Problem 11–4 ............................................................................ 733 Problem 11–5 ............................................................................ 733 B. Deviating from the Guidelines Amount .......................................... 733 Kentucky Revised Statutes .............................................................. 734 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 734 C. The Guidelines’ Outer Limits .......................................................... 737 1. Low-Income Obligors ................................................................ 737 2. High-Income Obligors............................................................... 738 Ciampa v. Ciampa .................................................................... 738 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 743 Modification of Child Support Orders ..................................................... 745 A. The “Change of Circumstances” Standard ...................................... 746 Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act ................................................. 746 Iowa Code .......................................................................................... 746 Notes.................................................................................................. 746 B. Applying the “Change of Circumstances” Standard ...................... 747 In re Marriage of Nelson .................................................................. 748 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 749 Problem 11–6 .................................................................................... 753 C. Imputing Income on Modification ................................................... 753 In re Marriage of Pollard ................................................................. 753 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 756 Problem 11–7 .................................................................................... 757 Problem 11–8 .................................................................................... 758 Child Support Enforcement ..................................................................... 758 A. Civil Enforcement ............................................................................. 759 Monica Hof Wallace, Child Support Savings Accounts: An Innovative Approach to Child Support Enforcement ............. 759 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 761 B. Criminal Enforcement...................................................................... 764 Problem 11–9 .................................................................................... 766 C. Challenges to Civil and Criminal Enforcement ............................. 766 Laurie S. Kohn, Engaging Men as Fathers: The Courts, the Law, and Father-Absence in Low-Income Families ............... 768 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 779 Ann Cammett, Deadbeats, Deadbrokes, and Prisoners ................. 780 Problem 11–10 .................................................................................. 781

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Chapter 12. Child Custody ......................................................................... 783 1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 783 2. Constitutional Considerations ................................................................. 786 McDermott v. Dougherty ......................................................................... 786 Notes and Questions ................................................................................ 799 3. Evolution of Standards Governing Child Custody ................................. 802 A. The Tender Years Doctrine .............................................................. 803 B. The Best Interests of the Child ........................................................ 804 C. The Psychological Parent and the Role of Experts......................... 805 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 810 Problem 12–1 .................................................................................... 813 D. Contemporary Interpretations of the Best Interests of the Child .................................................................................................. 813 1. Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act (1998).............................. 814 2. Statutory Definitions of “Best Interests” ................................ 814 Michigan Child Custody Act of 1970 ....................................... 814 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 816 Problem 12–2 ............................................................................ 817 3. The ALI Principles .................................................................... 818 American Law Institute, Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution: Analysis and Recommendations ................. 818 Notes and Questions ................................................................. 820 4. Factors in Determining Best Interests ................................................... 821 A. Home Environment, Health Issues and Gender Roles .................. 822 Blevins v. Bardwell........................................................................... 822 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 828 B. Allegations of Immorality ................................................................ 831 Zepeda v. Zepeda .............................................................................. 832 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 836 C. Race ................................................................................................... 840 Palmore v. Sidoti .............................................................................. 840 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 843 D. Siblings and Religion........................................................................ 846 Arthur v. Arthur ............................................................................... 846 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 850 E. Domestic Violence ............................................................................. 854 Wissink v. Wissink ........................................................................... 855 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 859 5. The Child’s Preference ............................................................................. 863 A. How Does the Child Speak? ............................................................. 864 B. Contemporary Debates About the Role of Attorneys for Children in Custody Disputes ......................................................... 868 Barbara A. Atwood, Representing Children Who Can’t or Won’t Direct Counsel: Best Interests Lawyering or No Lawyer at All? ........................................................................... 870 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 875 Problem 12–3 .................................................................................... 877

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Shared Parenting: Gender Wars or a Step Forward? ............................ 877 A. Feminists, Fathers’ Rights and Public Policy ................................. 879 B. Reevaluating Joint Physical Custody: Iowa ................................... 882 In re the Marriage of Cerwick ......................................................... 883 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 887 Problem 12–4 .................................................................................... 890 C. Promoting Co-Parenting .................................................................. 891 Arizona Revised Statutes Annotated .............................................. 893 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 895

Chapter 13. Visitation and Post-Dissolution Custody Disputes ....... 897 1. Disputes About Major Childrearing Decisions ....................................... 898 A. Collapse of Joint Parenting.............................................................. 898 Nicita v. Kittredge ............................................................................ 898 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 905 B. Tie-Breaking Arrangements ............................................................ 909 Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow ................................ 909 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 913 2. Visitation................................................................................................... 914 A. The Fit Noncustodial Parent’s Right to Visitation ......................... 914 Problem 13–1 .................................................................................... 915 B. Denial of Visitation........................................................................... 916 Usack v. Usack ................................................................................. 916 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 919 C. Third-Party Visitation ...................................................................... 922 Troxel v. Granville ............................................................................ 923 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 929 D. Visitation and Custody Rights of De Facto Parents ....................... 934 3. Modification of Custody or Visitation Orders ......................................... 936 A. The Standard .................................................................................... 937 B. Substantial Change of Circumstances ............................................ 938 Kristen L. v. Benjamin W. ............................................................... 939 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 943 Problem 13–2 .................................................................................... 945 C. Relocation .......................................................................................... 945 Theresa Glennon, Still Partners? Examining the Consequences of Post-Dissolution Parenting .................................................. 947 Fredman v. Fredman ........................................................................ 948 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 955 D. International Relocation .................................................................. 958 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 960 4. Parents Who Kidnap Their Own Children ............................................. 961 A. How Widespread a Problem Is Kidnapping of Children by Their Parents? .................................................................................. 961 B. Case Note: State of New Jersey v. Froland ..................................... 962 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 964

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Treatment of International Child Abduction Under the Hague Convention ........................................................................................ 965 Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, 1980 ........................................................................ 967 Cuellar v. Joyce................................................................................. 968 Notes and Questions ........................................................................ 973 Problem 13–3 .................................................................................... 980

Chapter 14. Ethics in Contemporary Family Law Practice ............... 981 1. Ethical Foundations ................................................................................. 981 A. Introduction ...................................................................................... 981 B. Professional Roles and Obligations ................................................. 982 Note ................................................................................................... 986 Problem 14–1 .................................................................................... 986 2. Access to Domestic Relations Counsel .................................................... 986 Jessica K. Steinberg, In Pursuit of Justice? Case Outcomes and the Delivery of Unbundled Legal Services ............................................ 987 Notes and Questions ................................................................................ 992 3. Client Confidences.................................................................................... 992 Problem 14–2 ............................................................................................ 994 Problem 14–3 ............................................................................................ 994 4. Conflicts of Interest .................................................................................. 994 A. General Standards ........................................................................... 994 B. Dual Representation ........................................................................ 995 Problem 14–4 .................................................................................... 996 C. Duties to Current Clients ................................................................ 996 D. Duties to Former Clients ................................................................. 996 E. Duties to Prospective Clients ........................................................... 997 F. Sexual Relations Between Family Lawyer and Client .................. 998 5. Obligations to Third Parties and Opponents .......................................... 999 Barrett v. Virginia State Bar ................................................................... 999 Notes and Questions .............................................................................. 1002 Problem 14–5 .......................................................................................... 1003 6. Obligations to the Parties’ Children ..................................................... 1003 A. Obligations When Representing a Parent .................................... 1003 B. Obligations When Representing a Child ....................................... 1005 7. Domestic Misconduct by Lawyers ......................................................... 1006 A. Lawyers’ Emotions as Domestic Relations Parties ...................... 1006 B. Domestic Misconduct by Lawyers Unrelated to Client Representation ................................................................................ 1006 8. The Relationship Between Ethics and Malpractice ............................. 1007 Chapter 15. Alternative Dispute Resolution ........................................ 1009 1. Negotiation ............................................................................................. 1010 Robert H. Mnookin & Lewis Kornhauser, Bargaining in the Shadow of the Law: The Case of Divorce ...................................... 1010

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Robert H. Mnookin, Divorce Bargaining: The Limits on Private Ordering .......................................................................................... 1015 Problem 15–1 .......................................................................................... 1019 Mediation ................................................................................................ 1019 A. The Nature of Domestic Relations Mediation .............................. 1020 B. Ethical and Practical Considerations ............................................ 1021 1. Mediators’ Qualifications ....................................................... 1022 2. Lawyer-Mediators ................................................................... 1022 3. Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) .................................... 1023 4. Mandatory Mediation ............................................................. 1024 5. Should Clients’ Lawyers Attend or Advise? .......................... 1024 6. Should the Parties’ Minor Children Participate? ................. 1025 7. Confidentiality ........................................................................ 1026 Problem 15–2 .......................................................................... 1026 Problem 15–3 .......................................................................... 1027 C. Gender and Culture ........................................................................ 1027 1. Gender ..................................................................................... 1028 Margaret F. Brinig, Does Mediation Systematically Disadvantage Women? ................................................... 1028 2. Domestic Violence ................................................................... 1029 3. Culture .................................................................................... 1030 Arbitration .............................................................................................. 1031 A. The Nature of Domestic Relations Arbitration ............................ 1031 B. Domestic Relations Arbitration and Children .............................. 1033 Fawzy v. Fawzy .............................................................................. 1034 Notes and Questions ...................................................................... 1038 Problem 15–4 .................................................................................. 1039 Collaborative Family Law ..................................................................... 1039 John Lande & Forrest S. Mosten, Collaborative Lawyers’ Duties to Screen the Appropriateness of Collaborative Law and Obtain Clients’ Informed Consent to Use Collaborative Law .................. 1040 Notes and Questions .............................................................................. 1047 Problem 15–5 .......................................................................................... 1048 A Concluding Note About a Lawyer’s Ethical Duty to Inform Clients About ADR ......................................................................... 1049 Problem 15–6 .......................................................................................... 1049

Chapter 16. Private Ordering in Marriage and Divorce: Premarital, Postnuptial, and Separation Agreements .............. 1051 1. Marriage—Contract or Status? ............................................................. 1053 A. Historical Perspective .................................................................... 1053 B. Three Forms of Agreements Affecting Marriages ........................ 1056 C. Agreements Between Nonmarital Partners ................................. 1057 2. Premarital Agreements.......................................................................... 1057 A. Model Laws and Proposed Reforms .............................................. 1059 1. The Uniform Premarital Agreement Act .............................. 1059 Uniform Premarital Agreement Act ...................................... 1060

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Proposal for Reform: The Uniform Premarital and Marital Agreements Act of 2012 .......................................................... 1062 Uniform Premarital and Marital Agreements Act ............... 1063 3. The ALI Principles .................................................................. 1065 American Law Institute ......................................................... 1066 Notes and Questions ............................................................... 1066 B. Elements Required for Valid Premarital Agreements ................. 1066 Mallen v. Mallen ............................................................................. 1067 Notes and Questions ...................................................................... 1072 In re Estate of Hollett .................................................................... 1076 Questions ........................................................................................ 1080 C. Specific Factors in Evaluating the Validity of Premarital Agreements ..................................................................................... 1081 1. Voluntariness .......................................................................... 1081 2. Financial Disclosure ............................................................... 1084 3. Review for “Substantive Fairness” or “Unconscionability” ................................................................. 1085 a. Timing of Review: One Look or Two? ............................ 1085 b. Standards for Reviewing Premarital Agreements ........ 1087 Problem 16–1................................................................... 1090 Problem 16–2................................................................... 1091 D. Provisions of Premarital Agreements ........................................... 1091 1. Modification of Child-Related Support Obligations ............. 1092 2. Waivers of Spousal Support ................................................... 1093 Questions ................................................................................. 1093 3. Nonmonetary Terms ............................................................... 1093 4. Enforcing Terms of Religious Marriage Contracts ............... 1095 Problem 16–3 .......................................................................... 1098 Postnuptial Agreements ........................................................................ 1098 A. Why Enter into a Postnuptial Agreement? ................................... 1098 B. What Legal Standards Should Govern a Postnuptial Agreement? ..................................................................................... 1099 Bedrick v. Bedrick .......................................................................... 1100 Notes and Questions ...................................................................... 1106 Problem 16–4 .................................................................................. 1110 Problem 16–5 .................................................................................. 1111 Problem 16–6 .................................................................................. 1112 Separation Agreements .......................................................................... 1114 A. The Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act ....................................... 1115 Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act ............................................... 1115 B. Separation Agreements and Divorce Decrees .............................. 1116 C. Modification of Marital Separation Agreements .......................... 1116 D. Voiding a Separation Agreement .................................................. 1117 In re Marriage of Thornhill ............................................................ 1118 Notes and Questions ...................................................................... 1120

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Chapter 17. Family Law Jurisdiction .................................................... 1127 1. Introduction ............................................................................................ 1127 Rhonda Wasserman, Parents, Partners, and Personal Jurisdiction ..................................................................................... 1128 Note and Question .................................................................................. 1129 Problem 17–1 .......................................................................................... 1129 2. The Domestic Relations Exception to Diversity Jurisdiction .............. 1129 Ankenbrandt v. Richards ....................................................................... 1130 Notes and Questions .............................................................................. 1132 3. Divorce Jurisdiction ............................................................................... 1133 A. Ex parte Divorce: Williams I and Williams II .............................. 1134 Notes and Questions ...................................................................... 1137 B. Residency Requirements ................................................................ 1138 Sosna v. Iowa .................................................................................. 1139 Notes and Questions ...................................................................... 1144 C. Covenant Marriage ......................................................................... 1145 Notes and Questions ...................................................................... 1146 4. Jurisdiction over Alimony and Property Distribution ......................... 1146 A. Personal Jurisdiction Requirement for Alimony and Property Distribution ..................................................................................... 1146 Gaboury v. Gaboury ....................................................................... 1148 Notes and Questions ...................................................................... 1152 A Note on Obtaining Personal Jurisdiction Through Long-Arm Statutes ................................................................................... 1152 Note and Questions ........................................................................ 1153 B. Limits on Out-of-State Property Distribution .............................. 1153 Problem 17–2 .................................................................................. 1154 5. Child Custody Jurisdiction .................................................................... 1154 A. Which State Has Jurisdiction to Issue a Custody Order? ........... 1154 1. The Constitutional Context for Jurisdiction ......................... 1154 May v. Anderson ..................................................................... 1155 Notes and Questions ............................................................... 1159 2. State Courts and Jurisdiction ................................................ 1160 a. The UCCJEA ................................................................... 1161 Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act ............................................................................ 1162 Notes and Questions ....................................................... 1164 b. Applying the UCCJEA .................................................... 1165 In re Myrland .................................................................. 1165 Notes and Questions ....................................................... 1168 c. Special Situations Involving Jurisdiction Under the UCCJEA .......................................................................... 1169 Problem 17–3................................................................... 1171 Problem 17–4................................................................... 1171 Problem 17–5................................................................... 1171 B. Enforcing and Modifying Another State’s Custody Decree ......... 1171 1. The Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act ............................. 1172

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The UCCJEA’s Modification and Enforcement Provisions ................................................................................ 1172 Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act .................................................................................... 1172 Notes and Questions ............................................................... 1173 Problem 17–6 .......................................................................... 1174 Problem 17–7 .......................................................................... 1175 C. International Child Abduction ...................................................... 1175 Notes and Questions ...................................................................... 1175 Support Jurisdiction............................................................................... 1176 A. Which State Has Jurisdiction to Issue a Support Order? ............ 1176 1. Constitutional Limits ............................................................. 1176 Kulko v. Superior Court ......................................................... 1177 Note and Questions ................................................................ 1182 2. State Laws............................................................................... 1182 Uniform Interstate Family Support Act ............................... 1183 Notes and Questions ............................................................... 1184 B. Modifying and Enforcing a Child Support Order ......................... 1185 1. FFCCSOA ................................................................................ 1185 Full Faith and Credit for Child Support Orders Act ............ 1186 Note and Questions ................................................................ 1187 Problem 17–8 .......................................................................... 1187 2. UIFSA ...................................................................................... 1188 Uniform Interstate Family Support Act ............................... 1188 In re Marriage of Haugh ........................................................ 1189 Notes and Questions ............................................................... 1193 Problem 17–9 .......................................................................... 1194 Problem 17–10 ........................................................................ 1194 Problem 17–11 ........................................................................ 1194 Unified Family Courts ........................................................................... 1195 Catherine J. Ross, Unified Family Courts: Good Sense, Good Justice ............................................................................................. 1196 Notes and Questions .............................................................................. 1197

Postscript: Your Future in Family Law ................................................ 1199 Problem ................................................................................................... 1199 INDEX ............................................................................................................... 1201