Family Law Newsletters

International Divorce and Foreign Divorce Decrees

With many people living and working abroad after being married in the United States international divorce is becoming more of a common practice. International divorce cases may be very complex due to the laws of the country in which the parties currently reside.

Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003

In 2003, the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act was enacted. The Act authorizes fines and/or jail terms of up to two years for any doctor who performs a partial birth abortion. A partial birth abortion is defined as an abortion in which the baby is delivered past the baby's navel outside the body of the mother or after the entire fetal head is outside the body of the mother. Most partial birth abortions are performed between 20 and 26 weeks.

Postmarital Agreements

A postmarital agreement, or postnuptial agreement, is an agreement executed by a husband and wife after they are married.

Self-representation In a Divorce Action

There is no requirement that parties to a divorce action hire an attorney to represent them during the divorce proceedings. Either party or both parties may represent themselves during their divorce proceedings. Whether one chooses to represent themselves or hire an attorney, is a personal choice. One should weigh the advantages and disadvantages involved in self-representation.

Shared Parental Responsibility and Visitation

In a divorce proceeding, parents may consider sharing their parental responsibilities and visitation by entering into a shared or joint custody agreement. Shared custody is defined as an agreement by which the parents make arrangements to share the physical custody and control of the child as well as the legal, medical, financial, educational, emotional, and social responsibilities.