Newsletters

Common Reasons for a Premarital Agreement

A premarital agreement, or prenuptial agreement, is a written contract between persons who intend to be married. The agreement defines the property rights of the spouses. There are many reasons to make a premarital agreement.

Adoption and Safe Families Act - Reasonable Efforts

The Family Preservation and Support Services Act required states to make "reasonable efforts" to reunify families and prevent the permanent removal of a child from his or her home. The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) attempts to clarify the "reasonable efforts" requirement.

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.

Paternity Proceedings

Depending upon whether a state has adopted the Uniform Parentage Act or whether they have another state statute that governs, paternity proceedings may typically be commenced any time from after the child's birth or at any time for the purpose of declaring the existence of the father and child relationship. The action may also be commenced for the purpose of declaring the non-existence of the father and child relationship.

Divorce and Property Division

When spouses have decided that their marriage is no longer viable and divorce is the proper remedy, numerous issues are involved, including the division of their property.