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Full-Text Articles in Family Law

Conceptualizing Legal Childhood In The Twenty-First Century, Clare Huntington, Elizabeth S. Scott May 2020

Conceptualizing Legal Childhood In The Twenty-First Century, Clare Huntington, Elizabeth S. Scott

Michigan Law Review

The law governing children is complex, sometimes appearing almost incoherent. The relatively simple framework established in the Progressive Era, in which parents had primary authority over children, subject to limited state oversight, has broken down over the past few decades. Lawmakers started granting children some adult rights and privileges, raising questions about their traditional status as vulnerable, dependent, and legally incompetent beings. As children emerged as legal persons, children’s rights advocates challenged the rationale for parental authority, contending that robust parental rights often harm children. And a wave of punitive reforms in response to juvenile crime in the 1990s undermined …


Toward A Child-Centered Approach To Evaluating Claims Of Alienation In High-Conflict Custody Disputes, Allison M. Nichols Feb 2014

Toward A Child-Centered Approach To Evaluating Claims Of Alienation In High-Conflict Custody Disputes, Allison M. Nichols

Michigan Law Review

Theories of parental alienation abound in high-conflict custody cases. The image of one parent brainwashing a child against the other parent fits with what we think we know about family dynamics during divorce. The concept of a diagnosable “Parental Alienation Syndrome” (“PAS”) developed as an attempt to explain this phenomenon, but it has been widely discredited by mental health professionals and thus fails the standard for evidentiary admissibility. Nevertheless, PAS and related theories continue to influence the decisions of family courts, and even in jurisdictions that explicitly reject such theories, judges still face the daunting task of resolving these volatile …


Divorce, Custody, Gender, And The Limits Of Law: On Dividing The Child, Lee E. Teitelbaum May 1994

Divorce, Custody, Gender, And The Limits Of Law: On Dividing The Child, Lee E. Teitelbaum

Michigan Law Review

A Review of Dividing the Child: Social and Legal Dilemmas of Custody by Elanor E. Maccoby and Robert H. Mnookin


Black Identity And Child Placement: The Best Interests Of Black And Biracial Children, Kim Forde-Mazrui Feb 1994

Black Identity And Child Placement: The Best Interests Of Black And Biracial Children, Kim Forde-Mazrui

Michigan Law Review

The purpose of this Note is to question whether racial matching by courts and child-placement agencies serves the best interests of Black children. The principle that guides this Note's analysis is that racial matching is justified only if such a policy better serves the interests of Black children than a policy in which race is not a factor in a child-placement determination. This Note also questions whether racial matching serves the interests of biracial children and those of Black people as a cultural group.


Discretion, Rules, And Law: Child Custody And The Umda's Best-Interest Standard, Carl E. Schneider Aug 1991

Discretion, Rules, And Law: Child Custody And The Umda's Best-Interest Standard, Carl E. Schneider

Michigan Law Review

One barrier facing any attempt to devise a uniform law for diverse jurisdictions is the occasional - perhaps even frequent - difficulty of writing rules that will accurately guide judges. The law's ordinary solution to that difficulty is to give judges some measure of discretion. This article inquires into the nature and legitimacy of that technique. It does so by analyzing a particularly controversial provision of the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act (UMDA). Section 402 of that Act states: "The court shall determine custody in accordance with the best interest of the child." It then instructs the court to "consider …


Recognizing Child Abuse: A Guide For The Concerned, Denise Esposito May 1991

Recognizing Child Abuse: A Guide For The Concerned, Denise Esposito

Michigan Law Review

A Review of Recognizing Child Abuse: A Guide for the Concerned by Douglas J. Besharov


Law, Science, And History: Reflections Upon In The Best Interests Of The Child, Peggy C. Davis May 1988

Law, Science, And History: Reflections Upon In The Best Interests Of The Child, Peggy C. Davis

Michigan Law Review

A Review of In the Best Interests of the Child by Joseph Goldstein, Anna Freud, Albert J. Solnit, and Sonja Goldstein


The Establishment Clause And Religion In Child Custody Disputes: Factoring Religion Into The Best Interest Equation, Michigan Law Review Jun 1984

The Establishment Clause And Religion In Child Custody Disputes: Factoring Religion Into The Best Interest Equation, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

This Note examines when judges deciding custody disputes may consider potential custodians' religious practices without violating the establishment clause of the first amendment to the Constitution. Although courts agree that they may not prefer one parent to another for religious reasons when both parents are religious and neither parent's religious practices threaten the child's health or safety, some courts believe that they may constitutionally prefer a religious parent to a nonreligious parent. Part I argues that courts violate the establishment clause by preferring religion to nonreligion when there is no showing that the child has personal religious convictions. Part II …


Who Speaks For The Child: The Problems Of Proxy Consent, Michigan Law Review Mar 1983

Who Speaks For The Child: The Problems Of Proxy Consent, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

A Review of Who Speaks for the Child: The Problems of Proxy Consent edited by Willard Gaylin and Ruth Macklin


Illegitimacy: An Examination Of Bastardy, Michigan Law Review Mar 1983

Illegitimacy: An Examination Of Bastardy, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

A Review of Illegitimacy: An Examination of Bastardy by Jenny Teichman


Father In Jail, David C. Baldus Mar 1980

Father In Jail, David C. Baldus

Michigan Law Review

A review of Making Fathers Pay: The Enforcement of Child Support by David L. Chambers


Thinking About Public Policy Toward Abuse And Neglect Of Children: A Review Of Before The Best Interests Of The Child, Michael S. Wald Mar 1980

Thinking About Public Policy Toward Abuse And Neglect Of Children: A Review Of Before The Best Interests Of The Child, Michael S. Wald

Michigan Law Review

A review of Before the Best Interests of the Child by Joseph Goldstein, Anna Freud, and Albert J. Solnit


The Emerging Constitutional Protection Of The Putative Father's Parental Rights, Michigan Law Review Aug 1972

The Emerging Constitutional Protection Of The Putative Father's Parental Rights, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

This Comment will first examine whether the equal protection or due process clauses of the Constitution presently proscribe disparate treatment of the putative father, as compared with other parents, in regard to parental privileges. Attention will then be given to an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed "equal rights" amendment on the putative father's rights in relation to his illegitimate child.


Forcing Protection On Children And Their Parents: The Impact Of Wyman V. James, Robert A. Burt Jun 1971

Forcing Protection On Children And Their Parents: The Impact Of Wyman V. James, Robert A. Burt

Michigan Law Review

This Article will focus on one of the concerns implicated in Wyman: the government's power to force assistance for the protection of children, when they or their parents are unwilling to accept that assistance. The state's protective purposes in insisting that Mrs. James accept its assistance or suffer serious loss of benefits played an important role in the Wyman decision. Only a few years ago, in In re Gault, the Court refused to defer to a state's similarly beneficent motives when it was asked to withhold the imposition of procedural safeguards in juvenile delinquency proceedings. Wyman does not …


Uniform Probate Code--Illegitimacy--Inheritance And The Illegitimate: A Model For Probate Reform, Michigan Law Review Nov 1970

Uniform Probate Code--Illegitimacy--Inheritance And The Illegitimate: A Model For Probate Reform, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

The Uniform Probate Code (Code), which was approved by the American Bar Association in August 1969, deals with the problem of inheritance by illegitimates both with regard to intestate succession-section 2-109-and also with regard to the construction of a bequest to "children" by will-section 2-611. This Note will examine the issue whether the Code, which presents a comprehensive model for probate reform, deals with the problem of inheritance by illegitimates in an appropriate, desirable, and constitutional manner. The Code provisions concerning illegitimacy relate to many other provisions of the Code in which childhood status is relevant; therefore, it will be …


Equal Protection For The Illegitimate, Harry D. Krause Jan 1967

Equal Protection For The Illegitimate, Harry D. Krause

Michigan Law Review

In our time the general constitutional phrase promising equal protection has become specific law. It has been used to invalidate many state statutes which discriminated on the basis of race or other arbitrary criteria. Definite rules have been developed for this process of invalidation. These rules will be applied below to state and federal legislation that favors the legitimate child and discriminates against the illegitimate in matters of inheritance rights, rights of support, rights of name and custody, and social welfare. The question that will be asked is whether state and federal legislation may constitutionally discriminate between children on the …


Foster Parents Versus Agencies: A Case Study In The Judicial Application Of "The Best Interests Of The Child" Doctrine, Sanford N. Katz Jan 1966

Foster Parents Versus Agencies: A Case Study In The Judicial Application Of "The Best Interests Of The Child" Doctrine, Sanford N. Katz

Michigan Law Review

A recurring problem which courts face is the need to resolve the conflict which arises when foster parents challenge the decision of agencies that have disqualified these persons from continuing their relationship with or adopting their foster child. This article will explore the role of courts in resolving these disputes and will suggest some criteria by which the courts may be guided in deciding such questions.


Buck: Children For Adoption, Sanford N. Katz Jan 1966

Buck: Children For Adoption, Sanford N. Katz

Michigan Law Review

A Review of Children for Adoption by Pearl Buck


A Child Conceived Through Artificial Insemination By A Third-Party Donor Is Illegitimate-Gursky V. Gursky, Michigan Law Review Nov 1964

A Child Conceived Through Artificial Insemination By A Third-Party Donor Is Illegitimate-Gursky V. Gursky, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Husband and wife, upon discovery of the husband's inability to father children, sought to have the wife artificially inseminated. The husband gave his written consent to the clinical impregnation and agreed to pay for it. As a result of the artificial insemination a child was born. Subsequently, the wife sought an annulment and petitioned for support of this child. Held, annulment granted, and child declared illegitimate. A child conceived through artificial insemination by a third-party donor, even though done with the consent of the mother's husband, is illegitimate. Gursky v. Gursky, 39 Misc. 2d 1083, 242 N.Y.S.2d 406 …


Child Custody In A Federal System, Leonard G. Ratner Mar 1964

Child Custody In A Federal System, Leonard G. Ratner

Michigan Law Review

Among the most difficult of judicial functions is the determination of a child's custody after its parents have separated. The difficulties are acute enough when all the parties remain in the same place; when the parties are in different states, an additional perplexing problem arises as to which state should have authority to make the custody decision. This broad question can be resolved into three distinct though interrelated issues: (1) what state may initially determine custody; (2) what state may later modify that determination; (3) to what extent is such a determination binding on other states.


Conflict Of Laws - Custody Decrees - Jurisdiction To Modify And Effect In Sister States, Donald R. Jolliffe S.Ed. Nov 1959

Conflict Of Laws - Custody Decrees - Jurisdiction To Modify And Effect In Sister States, Donald R. Jolliffe S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Husband and wife were divorced in Wisconsin in 1956 by a judgment which awarded alimony, custody of the children, and support money to W. The custody decree provided that W be permitted to remove the children to California but that they be allowed to visit H each summer. While H was visiting California in October 1957, he was served in an action commenced by W seeking absolute custody. H returned to Wisconsin and on November 5 asked the Wisconsin court to modify its divorce judgment by awarding custody of the children to him. That court set a hearing and …


Torts - Recent Legislation - Parental Liability Statutes, Joseph T. De Nicola, William J. Wise, Robert C. Casad S.Ed. Jun 1957

Torts - Recent Legislation - Parental Liability Statutes, Joseph T. De Nicola, William J. Wise, Robert C. Casad S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Fourteen states now have statutes imposing vicarious liability upon parents for tortious acts of their children. These statutes, with one exception, all have been enacted within the past six years, and they present the most significant attempt to date by legislatures to control the incidence and remedy the effects of juvenile vandalism. The parental liability laws vary with respect to the ages of the children covered, and they place different pecuniary limits on the extent of the parent's liability. Coverage may extend to personal injuries as well as to property damage. All except the Louisiana statute, however, apply only to …


Torts - Parent And Child-Doctrine Of Parental Immunity, Julian J. Linde S.Ed. Jan 1957

Torts - Parent And Child-Doctrine Of Parental Immunity, Julian J. Linde S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, a minor, sustained injuries in a collision which occurred while he was riding in a car owned and driven by defendant, his father. The complaint alleged that defendant was guilty of willful and wanton misconduct, consisting of speeding on a wet road on a foggy night and of running a stop light. A motion to dismiss on the ground that the suit was contrary to public policy was sustained. On appeal, held, reversed. The doctrine of parental immunity is inapplicable to cases of willful and wanton misconduct. Nudd v Matsoukas, (III. 1956) 131 N.E. (2d) 525.


Torts - Parent - Child Action By Child For Indirect Interference With Family Relationship, William R. Jentes S.Ed. May 1956

Torts - Parent - Child Action By Child For Indirect Interference With Family Relationship, William R. Jentes S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Five minor children sued for the loss of their mother's support, care and affection which resulted from the defendant's negligent injury of the mother in an auto accident. Defendant moved to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. Held, motion denied. A minor child has a cause of action for damages resulting from an indirect, negligent interference with his rights in the family relationship. Scruggs v. Meredith, (D.C. Hawaii 1955) 134 F. Supp. 86.8.


Descent And Distribution - Intestate Succession From An Adopted Child - Who Aim His "Brothers And Sisters", Jack G. Armstrong Mar 1955

Descent And Distribution - Intestate Succession From An Adopted Child - Who Aim His "Brothers And Sisters", Jack G. Armstrong

Michigan Law Review

Decedent had never married and was predeceased by his natural and adopted parents. The California statute provided that in such a case his property would go to his brothers and sisters. Appellant, the natural daughter of decedent's adopted parents, contended that she was his sole heir under this statute, while respondent, decedent's natural brother, argued that the term ''brothers and sisters" meant blood relatives. The superior court applied the common meaning of the words brothers and sisters and held that appellant was not such a person. On appeal, held, reversed. Since the entire pattern of the California code indicates …


Advancements: Iii, Harold I. Elbert Feb 1954

Advancements: Iii, Harold I. Elbert

Michigan Law Review

Many states have statutes which provide that support, maintenance and education of a child will not be considered an advancement unless the parent intended it as such. The Kentucky statute is typical and it reads in part as follows: " . . . the maintaining or educating or the giving of money, to a child or grandchild without any view to a portion or settlement in life, shall not be deemed an advancement." Most states do not have statutes of that type but by judicial decision reach a result that is in accord with the statutory provision just quoted.


Torts - Infant's Liability For Battery - Parent's Liability For Child's, Richard S. Weinstein Jan 1954

Torts - Infant's Liability For Battery - Parent's Liability For Child's, Richard S. Weinstein

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, a baby sitter, suffered injuries when she was pushed violently to the floor by her four-year-old charge. Plaintiff brought an action against the child alleging battery and negligence, and against the parents alleging negligence in failing to warn plaintiff of the boy's habit of violently attacking people. The lower court sustained demurrers to all three counts. On appeal, held, reversed on the first and third counts. An infant may be charged with battery, and a parent may be negligent in failing to warn of an infant's violent tendencies. Ellis v. D'Angelo, 116 Cal. App. (2d) 310, 253 …


Torts - Child's Right To Recover For Alienation Of Parent's Affection, Marvin O. Young S.Ed. Dec 1953

Torts - Child's Right To Recover For Alienation Of Parent's Affection, Marvin O. Young S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff's parents were divorced in 1934 when plaintiff was five years old. Custody of plaintiff was awarded to her mother, but plaintiff alleged that she received "usual paternal love, affection, maintenance, and support" from her father until 1941, when plaintiff's father took defendant as his mistress, keeping her until his death in 1952. Plaintiff brought this action for damages on the theory that defendant alienated the affections of her father, thereby depriving plaintiff of fatherly affection, guidance and support. Defendant's demurrer was overruled by the trial court. On appeal, held, reversed. In the absence of a statute, a child …


Negligence-Liability For Negligence Of Minor Driver Imputed To Person Signing M:Rnor's Application For Driver's License, George D. Miller, Jr. May 1952

Negligence-Liability For Negligence Of Minor Driver Imputed To Person Signing M:Rnor's Application For Driver's License, George D. Miller, Jr.

Michigan Law Review

A father signed his daughter's application for a driver's license in accordance with the terms of a Utah statute, which required that the application for a minor's driver's license be signed by the parent or guardian, and imputed liability for the minor's negligence or wilful misconduct to the person signing the application. Before the daughter reached her majority (i.e., eighteenth birthday), the following events took place: (1) her mother was given sole custody of her in a divorce action; (2) she married; and (3) she negligently drove her car against the plaintiff, who brought suit against the daughter, her husband, …


Family Courts, Willis B. Perkins Mar 1919

Family Courts, Willis B. Perkins

Michigan Law Review

A great deal has been said, but very little has been authoritatively written upon the subject of Domestic Relations Courts in this country. So far as I know, no such court has yet been successfully established embodying the jurisdiction and powers the advocates of such a court claim it should possess. I am not unaware, however, that courts under the name ef Domestic Relations Courts have been established, notably in New York City and Cincinnati, and that certain Municipal Courts, notably in Chicago, have been given jurisdiction in certain family matters, but none of these courts, as at present organized, …