| International Adoption - Overview |
| The process of adopting a child from a foreign country is far more complicated than adopting a child who is a United States citizen. Prospective parents who wish to adopt a foreign child must comply with the laws of the child's home country, the laws of the United States, and the laws of the prospective parents' state of residence. Due to the legal complications inherent in international adoptions, persons who wish to adopt a foreign child should consult an experienced attorney or an adoption agency that specializes in international adoptions.More... |
| Types of Child Custody |
| There are many types of child custody arrangements. The law uses certain terms to describe these arrangements. It is important for parents to understand these terms because they define the rights of the parents. More... |
| Bifurcated Divorces |
| A court may order the termination of the marriage of a husband and wife, while reserving the resolution of certain issues for a later time. This procedure is called a "bifurcated divorce." When a bifurcated divorce is ordered, issues such as the division of the spouses' property, child custody, and child support are decided at a separate trial or hearing, after the marriage is terminated. More... |
| Traditional and Gestational Surrogacy |
| The two types of surrogacy are "traditional" and "gestational." Traditional surrogacy is done via artificial insemination, with the surrogate using her egg and another man's sperm. Gestational surrogacy is done via In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), where fertilized eggs from another woman are implanted into the surrogate's uterus. Choosing which route to take is one of the earliest decisions a surrogate or intended parents must make. More... |
| 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. More... |
