The leading case from last year in family law was the Supreme Court’s decision in D.P. v. G.J.P. 146 A.3d 204, holding that Pennsylvania’s grandparent custody statute offended principles of
Continue Reading Custody Standing Wars- Chapter 2
Custodial Ménage A Trois
This week we see a new case from a trial court on Long Island, which held that folks who adopt an open marriage that produces children might find the custody
Continue Reading Custodial Ménage A Trois
The Custody Case Where Everything Went Wrong.
Last Fall brought us a decision from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania holding that a grandparent did not have standing to terminate a Father’s parental rights incident to an adoption.
Continue Reading The Custody Case Where Everything Went Wrong.
CAN GRANDPA BECOME PA? THE EVOLVING PENNSYLVANIA FAMILY
The recent Superior Court decision In re Adoption of M.R.D. and T.M.D. offers a new challenge in the context of who can be an adoptive parent. While in her
Continue Reading CAN GRANDPA BECOME PA? THE EVOLVING PENNSYLVANIA FAMILY
BEST INTERESTS OF CHILDREN OUTWEIGH PARENTS EFFORTS AT REUNIFICATION
We’ve written about the process of terminating a parent’s custodial rights to their child an different cases presenting unique and unusual circumstances
Continue Reading BEST INTERESTS OF CHILDREN OUTWEIGH PARENTS EFFORTS AT REUNIFICATION
A PAGE TURNER OPINION FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY REMINDS US OF WHAT IS AND ISN’T RELEVANT IN A CUSTODY CASE
One of the most difficult concepts for lay persons to understand in the law is the rule stating that only relevant evidence is admissible in judicial proceedings. The concept would
Continue Reading A PAGE TURNER OPINION FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY REMINDS US OF WHAT IS AND ISN’T RELEVANT IN A CUSTODY CASE
WHAT’S IN A NAME? MORE THAN YOU THINK
Periodically I am asked questions about name changes for children or whether a mother is obligated to use the biological father’s last name for the child (answer: she’s not). A
Continue Reading WHAT’S IN A NAME? MORE THAN YOU THINK
Native American Adoption Decision Pending from U.S. Supreme Court
In this most recent U.S. Supreme Court term, the Court has heard two cases involving the domestic relations of a state. In addition to the arguments on same sex
Continue Reading Native American Adoption Decision Pending from U.S. Supreme Court
Adoptions
I am currently in the process of finalizing an adoption for a grandmother and her grandson. The grandmother initially came to me in 2009, but she unfortunately suffered a stroke
PENNSYLVANIA DRAWS A LINE WHERE INCARCERATION MEETS TERMINATION
One of the more nettlesome public policy questions courts are forced to address is when and under what circumstances are the rights of a child’s parent to be terminated. The right to procreate and to enjoy the comfort of one’s off spring has long been considered fundamental as a matter of constitutional law. But how is this right meaningful in a world where a parent has been or will be incarcerated for a substantial portion of the child’s minority? This is the question a unanimous Supreme Court sought to answer In Re: Adoption of S.P. Continue Reading PENNSYLVANIA DRAWS A LINE WHERE INCARCERATION MEETS TERMINATION