Newsletters

The Family Support Act of 1988

The Family Support Act of 1988 amended the guidelines provisions of the Child Support Enforcement Amendments of l984 by requiring that a state's support guidelines operate as a ''rebuttable presumption'' of the correct support amount in any judicial or administrative proceeding for the award of child support.

The Nursing Home Decision, Finding a Nursing Home, and the Cost

A nursing home is a facility that becomes a new home for an elderly person. The facility offers food, skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, medical services, personal services, and recreational activities. The decision to place the elder person in a nursing home facility can be very taxing on the family members. The decision is even more difficult if the elder is reluctant to residing in a nursing home facility.

Same-Sex Marriages

A same-sex marriage is defined as a marriage between two individuals of the same gender. The issue of same-sex marriages is a hotly debated topic. In the most recent election in the United States, more than ten states voted to amend their state constitution's and define a marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Most other nations do not recognize same-sex marriages as legally valid, nor do they allow them to occur.

Child Neglect

Every child has the right to expect that their parent or primary responsible caregiver will reasonably and prudently provide clothing, food, medical care, protection, shelter, and supervision. When a parent or primary responsible caregiver fails to provide the essential things to a child, a child may be neglected. Child neglect is more common and sometimes more devastating than child abuse. Often times child neglect and abuse are referred to in the same type of context.

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.