Chapter 8 - Family Law - Concepts Flashcards
Marriage is both a (1) and a (2), creating a (3), so (4) have an interest in regulating it.
- religious rite
- civil contract
- legal “status”
- states
Ecclesiastical law in England recognized (1) marriages in which a man lived with a woman, but the Matrimonial Causes Act called for (2) for more formality. The colonies, with limited access to officials, reverted to (3), but these were soon subject to (4). Almost all states have now (5) common law marriage.
- common law marriages
- ceremonial marriages
- common law marriages
- statutory requirements
- abolished
4 statutory requirements of marriage, generally
- no close degrees of kinship
- no bigamy
- 18+ and competent (understand consequences)
- 16 with parental consent (in most states)
4 basic steps in procedural laws of marriage
- Apply for license (judge, clerk, magistrate)
- Sign affidavit that unmarried, unrelated, understand consequences
- requires civil official, priest, minister or rabbi to perform
- officiating party endorses license and it becomes public record
The original idea of marriage, the (1), began to be done away with after women gained the right to (2) and (3) began to be passed. Where once the husband was in charge of providing, marriage is now a (4) that imposes (5)
- unity concept of marriage (couple is one person, man has control over woman’s property)
- vote
- emancipation acts
- contractual status
- mutual obligations
8 examples of benefits to marriage couples
- joint income tax returns
- benefits to surviving spouses (federal estate, gift taxes)
- social security benefits
- pension benefits
- loss of consortium
- worker’s comp death benefits
- inheritance
- privilege from testifying
There has been a push to provide benefits for people in a (1), such as same-sex or elderly couples.
- domestic partnership
After one of the first rulings on same-sex marriage was made, some worried other states would be forced into licensing these marriages under the (1) Clause. But (2), passed by Congress, ensured they did not have to. One way states have allowed the same benefits of marriage to same-sex couples is through (3). The first state to allow same-sex marriage was (4)
- Full Faith and Credit
- Defense of Marriage Act
- civil unions
- Massachusetts
Many arguments against same-sex marriage are (1), but in recent years many have come to perceive denial of gay marriage as (2). When the issue “comes” before the Supreme Court, it “will” likely by a challenge to the constitutionality of (3).
- religious
- invidious discrimination
- DOMA
The changes in how marriage property is perceived has led to an increase in (1). These stipulate property rights of each spouse (2), (3) or (4). These are common where assets are (5).
- prenuptial agreements
- during marriage
- upon death
- in the event of divorce
- disproportionate
If prenups are challenged, courts will often look at whether a (1) was made (2); otherwise it might be seen that the arrangement was made in (3).
- full disclosure
- well in advance
- coercion
(1) are sometimes used when parties did not anticipate the need for a prenup. Courts scrutinize whether it was (2) and not signed under (3). (4) and (5) bolster the court’s acceptance of these.
- post-nuptial agreements
- fair
- threat of divorce
- full disclosure
- independent legal counsel
(1) and (2) both have the objective of dissolution of marriage, but the latter does not remove (3) of the marriage.
- annulment
- divorce
- obligations
An annulment is a (1) that (2). It is granted only on (3) of a party who was unaware of an (4) to valid marriage. For the Catholic church, (5) allow a person whose marriage was annulled to remarry, though the church’s annulment has no bearing on (6).
- judicial decree
- no valid marriage existed
- petition
- impediment
- civil court
Sometimes before seeking divorce, couples will opt for an informal or formal (1) in which they live apart. Sometimes this includes (2) and (3) that becomes final judgment for (4). These should be done under (5)
- legal separation
- settlement of property
- custody rights
- divorce
- advisement
(1) allows alimony without dissolution of marriage for a spouse living separately. These usually relate to a (2) or (3).
- Separate mainenance
- “cooling-off period”
- religious scruples against divorce
A common law ecclesiastical courts could grant (1) or (2)–separate living plus alimony–with demonstration of the husband’s (3). The Colonies vested divorce in (4).
- annulment
- divorce a mensa et thoro (divorce from bed and board)
- fault
- chancery court
Historically divorce could only be granted in the state of (1); now it can be applied for (2) and people aim for states with more (3), such as Florida. Alimony, support and custody rights, however, may still harken from the (4).
- matrimonial domicile
- “in good faith”
- liberal requirements
- domicile state
Historically divorce would only be granted when a spouse alleged and proved a (1) for divorce, like extreme cruelty or adultery. Defenses against divorce allegations were (2), (3) or (4). After hearing ground, the court would enter a divorce in favor of the party (5).
- statutory ground
- condonation (spouse condoned actions)
- recrimination (spouse is just as guilty)
- countersuit for divorce
- not at fault
The fault concept has a bearing on (1) and (2). Alimony and support money were based on (3) and (4). The fault concept often led to damaging (5).
- alimony
- visitation rights
- needs
- husband’s ability to pay
- testimonies
Ugliness of the fault concept led to the concept of (1), and most states have adopted this or at least a way to dissolve a marriage that is (2). In the case of the respondent denying the latter, the court may order (3) or may (4), or may simply (5).
- no-fault dissolution of marriage
- irretrievably broken
- counseling
- postpone determination
- take testimonies
(1) in grounds for dissolution are rare under no-fault, and usually focus on issues like (2) and (3). (4) may also come into play in the proceedings.
- Contests
- alimony
- child custody
- restraining orders
(1) in dissolution must be established for jurisdiction. The petitioner must serve the spouse with (2) and a copy of the (3) reciting (4) for dissolution and (5) in other areas.
- residence requirements
- legal process
- petition
- statutory grounds
- demands for relief
Today parties often come to agreements on (1), (2) and (3) an request to court to accept the agreement. The court usually grants this if it is (4).
- alimony
- child support
- visitation
- fair and reasonable
Until 1979 alimony was seen, as it was in common law, as the (1). This was seen as a violation of Equal Protection and thereafter, alimony statutes are applied on a (2). The (3) sets out standards for awarding “maintenance,” or alimony.
- husband’s obligation
- sex-neutral basis
- Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act
6 factors considered when awarding maintenance, under UMDA
- financial resources of party seeking maintenance and live-in child’s needs
- time necessary for party to become employed
- standard of living established during marriage
- duration of marriage
- age, physical and emotional condition of spouse seeking maintenance
- ability of payer to meet own needs while maintaining payee
A lighter form of alimony is (1), but (2) will still be awarded for an older spouse who has no marketable talents. Other alternatives to maintenance are (3) or (4). Where income is disproportionate, one party may request (5) as well.
- rehabilitative alimony
- permanent alimony
- lump-sum awards (such as interest in the house)
- use of the house until the child reaches legal majority
- attorney’s fees
Parties wishing to avoid judicial distribution of marital assets will enter into (1) that are based on (2). One advantage is that the award is (3). One disadvantage is that they are not as easy to (4).
- property settlement agreements
- discovery
- not subject to federal income tax
- modify (such as if needs of payer change)
4 ways to attempt to equally distribute divorce assets
- special equity (real and personal property–person has special interest based on contribution)
- lump sum alimony (to supplement distributive share of assets)
- community property (property belongs equally unless acquired before marriage)
- equitable distribution (decide which is marital and pre-marital, divide and distribute)
Common law granted custody of (1) to their mothers, and to do otherwise, the father would have to prove she was (2). The new rule became the (3). A modern approach has applied the (4) to say custody should be granted on a gender-neutral basis.
- children of “tender years”
- unfit
- best interests of the child test
- Equal Protection Clause (14th Am)
5 main criteria for placing the child with a certain parent under the best interests test
- parent more likely to allow the child contact with the other parent
- physical/mental/moral fitness of parents
- emotional ties between child and parents
- permanence of proposed custodial home
- ability of parent to provide necessities
6 alternative reasons that may factor into awarding custody
- preference of older children
- community affiliations of child (eg school)
- religious preferences (less these days)
- adultery (sometimes)
- gay/lesbian
- keep children together
Generally one parent is granted (1) and the other (2), and sometimes the court has to define (3)
- custody
- visitation rights
- visitation schedules
A modern idea of custody is (1) which branches from (2). One parent maintains the (3) but both parents retain rights and responsibilities, including conferring on major decisions.
- shared parental responsibility
- joint custody
- primary physical residence
A (1) has come, in the later part of the century to have (2) to his illegitimate child where he contributes to the (3) and such a right would not be (4) to the child.
- putative father
- reasonable access (visitation, etc)
- child’s support
- detrimental