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Family law in 2010 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: January 10, 2011

Tags: birth certificate, child abduction, child support, custody, Defense of Marriage Act, divorce, DOMA, e-mail, Facebook, First Amendment, iPhone apps, no-fault divorce, Prop 8, relocation, same-sex adoption, same-sex custody, same-sex marriage, Skype visitation, social networking, technology

2010 was a busy year for family law and its practitioners. The economy – last year’s biggest story – continued to play its part, with family lawyers trying to run as tight a financial ship as possible.

But other issues crowded the headlines, from technology’s increasing role, particularly in divorce cases to ongoing litigation over same-sex relationship issues nationwide.

Here is a look at some of the top news in 2010.

Same-sex partner may enforce parentage order 

By: Pat Murphy
Published: January 3, 2011

Tags: custody, parental rights

A woman may enforce an order granting her parental rights in a child conceived via artificial insemination by her same-sex partner, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals has ruled in reversing judgment.

Adoption in same-sex relationship invalid 

By: Pat Murphy
Published: December 28, 2010

Tags: adoption, artificial insemination, custody, same-sex couples

A woman could not adopt the child her same-sex partner conceived through artificial insemination, the North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled.

Mother who abducted child during custody battle faces charges 20 years later 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: December 8, 2010

Tags: custody, parental abduction

A woman applying for a marriage license uncovered a secret past: her mother had abducted her during the course of a child custody battle, changed her name and hidden them from for more than 20 years.

Chihuahua is wife’s separate property, court rules 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: September 20, 2010

Tags: custody, divorce, dog

A couple’s Chihuahua is the separate property of the wife even though it was paid for with commingled funds, a Texas appellate court has ruled, affirming a divorce decree.

Federal parental kidnapping law doesn’t deprive state court of jurisdiction 

By: Allison McAndrew
Published: August 23, 2010

Tags: custody, Federal Kidnapping Prevention Act, jurisdiction

The federal Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act doesn’t deprive a state court of jurisdiction in a child protection case, Maine’s highest court has ruled.

Dispute over dog results in split custody 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: August 20, 2010

Tags: custody, divorce, dog

A divorcing couple was ordered to split custody of their Lhasa apso by a judge in Maryland.

Can biological father make claim 18 months after adoption? 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: August 12, 2010

Tags: adoption, custody

Eighteen months after she first filed for adoption of a baby girl, Stacy Doss is fighting an attempt by the girl’s biological father to claim custody.

‘Helicopter parenting’ rewarded by courts? 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: August 9, 2010

Tags: custody, helicopter parenting

In a new paper, two law professors argue that courts are rewarding “helicopter parenting” or “intensive parenting” and essentially making it a legal standard.

Legalized marijuana affecting custody 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: July 28, 2010

Tags: custody, marijuana

As more states legalize the use of marijuana for medical reasons, has its increased use had an impact on custody arrangements?