4. Family Law Flashcards
What are the requirements of a valid pre-marital agreement? (antenuptial)
- In writing
- Signed by parties
- Voluntarily entered into
- Full disclosure of assets OR proof of knowledge of assets
Soft elements (not required but dispositive of voluntary)
- Did parties have independent legal representation
- Is the agreement FAIR?
What are the requirements for a binding marriage?
- Marriage license
- Ceremony with authorized party
- Capacity to consent (at time of ceremony)
- No legal impediments to marriage
What are the requirements for a valid common law marriage?
- Consent to marry (this includes capacity and no legal impediments)
- Cohabitation
- Holding yourself out publicly as spouses (factual analysis!)
What are the elements of alienation of affection?
- Genuine love and affection between spouses (valid marriage)
- Love and affection destroyed
- Defendant caused destruction
- Damages
What are the elements of criminal conversation?
- Valid marriage
- Adultery
- Damages
What is the doctrine of necessaries?
A spouse will be financially liable to a third party that provides for other spouse’s
- Food
- Clothing
- Healthcare
What are the categories of a void marriage?
- Failure to bring an essential element of a marriage (i.e., license)
- Bigamy (still married to someone else)
- Consanguinity
What is the marital presumption?
A marriage is presumed valid until disproven by a party to the marriage
What are the categories of a voidable marriage?
- Nonage
- Physical impotence
- Lack of capacity (at ceremony)
- Duress
- Fraud related to an essential element of marriage
- Keep an eye out for ratification (continuing to live together after capacity returns) or the remedy of marriage by estoppel for something like fraud
What are the jurisdiction rules for a divorce?
- For jurisdiction over a divorce proceeding NOT involving property disposition - one spouse must have DOMICILE in the state
- For property dispositions - court must have personal jurisdiction over BOTH parties (at home, minimum contacts, or consent to jurisdiction) OR the property must be located in the state
What are the no fault divorce grounds?
- Irreconcilable differences
- Living separate and apart for statutory period
- Incompatibility
What are the fault based divorce grounds?
- Adultery
- Desertion
- Cruelty
- Alcohol / Drug abuse AFTER marriage began
- Insanity
What are the elements of adultery for fault based divorce?
Direct or circumstantial evidence of:
- Opportunity
- Inclination
What are the elements of desertion for fault based divorce?
- Unjustified departure
- With NO INTENT to return
- For specified time period
What are the two steps to a divorce property division problem?
- Classify the property as marital or separate (title does NOT matter);
- Divide the marital property “equitably” using factors