Family Law Newsletter

Enforcement of Alimony or Spousal Support Orders

Alimony and spousal support are terms that are used interchangeably to refer to an obligation of one spouse to provide a financial contribution to the other spouse's cost of living and maintenance. The person who receives support is called the recipient spouse. The person who pays support to a recipient is called the obligor spouse. In some states, the term spousal maintenance is also used. In no instance, do the terms involve a division of property. More...

Notice Requirements, Leave, and Enforcement of the Family Medical Leave Act

The employer is required to keep and post a notice of the FMLA requirements in an open and obvious location for its employees to see. The notice should contain information about filing complaints if the employer fails to comply with the requirements of the FMLA. The information should also address issues regarding the employee's rights and the employer's obligations under the FMLA. More...

Out of State Move by Custodial Parent

In most states, courts permit a custodial parent to move out of state with the child if the parent has a legitimate reason for the move. Thus, noncustodial parents who seek to enjoin the custodial parent from moving or who seek to modify custody on the basis of a proposed move are generally unsuccessful. More...

In Loco Parentis

In loco parentis is Latin for "in place of a parent." A foster parent, a county custodial agency or a boarding school which is assuming the parental obligations for the minor, including protecting his/her rights, may be referred to as being in loco parentis. More...

Post-Adoption Contact with Biological Parents

Traditionally, once an adoption is final, the child's biological relatives are excluded from any continuing personal or legal role in the child's life. The adoptive parents have exclusive responsibility for the child, including the right to determine the extent of the child's contacts with individuals outside the immediate adoptive family. More...