Family Law Newsletters

Types of Child Custody

There are many types of child custody arrangements. The law uses certain terms to describe these arrangements. It is important for parents to understand these terms because they define the rights of the parents.

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.

International Adoption - Advance Processing

The United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recommends that all prospective parents file an application for "Advance Processing" before they identify a foreign child to adopt. Advance Processing is a procedure whereby the USCIS pre-approves the prospective parents' application to adopt a child.

Same-Sex Marriages, Civil Unions, and Domestic Partnerships

Although many people interchange the terms same-sex marriage and civil union, they are actually two different and distinct concepts. A same-sex marriage is defined as a marriage between two individuals of the same gender. A same-sex marriage involves a certain legal status for the couple. Further, each state has its own requirements with respect to marriage.

Legal Malpractice and Divorce

In divorce actions legal malpractice may occur. If a client suspects that her attorney is liable for malpractice, she may file a civil malpractice action against the attorney or may file a complaint with the State Bar Association.