Family Law Newsletters

Adoption and Safe Families Act - Termination of Parental Rights

The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) requires a state to file a petition to terminate a parent's parental rights to a child if:

Adoption by a Same-Sex Couple

Any couple that choses to adopt a child must go through a rigorous background check. Often times, it may take many months or years for an adoption to be successfully completed. Although some states permit single individuals to adopt children, most states do not permit the adoption of a child by a same-sex couple.

An Overview of School Discipline

School discipline is an issue that may arise with respect to a student's improper activities while attending a public school. Typically, if the student commits an improper act, the situation is handled in an administrative manner without formal judicial review of the student's conduct. However, if the student's conduct was grossly improper or harmed the lives of others, judicial intervention may be necessary and required.

Child Citizenship Act of 2000 - Overview

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 is a federal law that went into effect on February 27, 2001. The Act provides that certain children who are born outside of the United States automatically acquire U.S. citizenship when they meet the requirements of the Act.

Taxation of Alimony or Separate Maintenance Payments

Alimony or separate maintenance payments that are made by an obligor spouse to an obligee spouse or to a third party on behalf of the obligee are deductible from the obligor's income provided the payments are made pursuant to a written agreement that was executed after 1984 and subject to certain conditions.