Please note that pursuant to the ABA's copyright and reprint policies, these articles may not be disseminated without written permission.

Editor's Note    
Linda D. Elrod (Cricket)

Divorced Fathers and Their Adult Offspring: Report from a Twenty-five-Year Longitudinal Study
Judith S. Wallerstein & Julia M. Lewis

This is a first report of relationships between divorced fathers and their adult offspring, as observed at close hand, within a qualitative twenty-five-year study. A wide range of relationships is described, as well as the many factors that contribute to the shaping of these later relationships. Included are the father-child relationship within the failing marriage, the impact of the divorce on these relationships, and the father's postdivorce adjustment and history. Relevant influences also include: the respective roles of the divorced mother, stepmother and stepfather acting as gatekeepers, the nature of the relationship between the divorced parents, and the wishes of the growing and grown-up child.

Read full article

A Review of the Year in Family Law 2007-2008: Federalization and Nationalization Continue
Linda D. Elrod and Robert G. Spector

In 2008, the ABA Section of Family Law celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. Over the past fifty years, one of the most significant changes has been the explosion of federal laws, uniform laws, and cases interpreting them. As families have become more mobile, the federal government has been asked to enact laws in numerous areas that traditionally were left to the states, such as child welfare, the establishment and enforcement of child support, domestic violence, and division of pension plans. In addition to traditional federal laws on bankruptcy and taxation, there are now laws dealing with international adoption, international child abduction, and the adoption and custody of Indian children. Enactment of more uniform acts has led not only to more cases, but also to more uniformity and predictability for families crossing state borders. This year's review captures some of the more interesting decisions.

Read full article

Family Law in the Fifty States 2007-2008: Case Digests

This year's summary of family law cases covers approximately the period of August 1, 2007, through July 31, 2008. The case digests are presented in a topical outline framework and alphabetized by state within each topic heading. The summary does not include every case from every jurisdiction but highlights some of the more important ones. The digests are a result of reports submitted in each state by reporters and supplemented by Washburn Law School student staff.

Charts, 42 Fam. L.Q. 756 (2009)
• Chart 1—Alimony/Spousal Support Factors
• Chart 2—Custody Criteria
• Chart 3—Child Support Guidelines
• Chart 4—Grounds for Divorce and Residency Requirements
• Chart 5—Property Division
• Chart 6—Third-Party Visitation
• Chart 7—Appointment Laws in Adoption, Guardianship, Unmarried Parent, and Divorce Cases
For details, see Charts: Summarizing the Laws in the 50 States.

Read full article

Annual Survey of Periodical Literature
Nancy Ver Steegh

The Annual Survey of Periodical Literature covers the period from approximately November 1, 2007, through October 31, 2008. The survey is not comprehensive in nature nor is it intended to promote any particular point of view. Rather, the author aims to highlight the variety and depth of family law scholarship produced during the year and underscore currently debated "hot topics."

Read full article

Index to Vol. 42

Author and title indexes to volume 42.

Coming Soon