Family Law Newsletters

Requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is a federal law that sets minimum standards for the removal of Native American children from their homes. The ICWA applies to foster care placements, terminations of parental rights, and adoption and pre-adoption placements. When the ICWA applies to a proceeding, a state court must comply with the requirements of the act.

Child Support and the Military

Enforcement of child support with respect to active military personnel is different than that of enforcement of civilian child support. First and foremost, locating the military individual can be difficult.

Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy

In 1951 a researcher coined the term "Munchausen Syndrome" based upon a pattern of self-abuse. Munchausen Syndrome is a psychiatric disorder that many people suffer from who abuse themselves, usually for some sort of attention or medical assistance.

Assisted Care Facilities for Elderly Individuals

An assisted care facility is a facility for elderly people that provides housing with assistance to the elder person. In this environment an individual has an apartment-type area to reside in. The assisted living environment provides both an independent atmosphere for the elder person along with assistance when needed.

Interference with an Agreement to Marry

Depending upon the state, interfering with an agreement to marry may be a civil offense or a tort. However, the majority of states do not recognize a claim for interfering with an agreement to marry. Although most states recognize the claim of tortious interference with a business relation or with a general contract, states are more reluctant to permit a claim for liability with respect to a premarital setting.