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Feds respond in DOMA challenge 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: February 3, 2011

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, Department of Justice, DOMA, same-sex marriage

The Defense of Marriage Act does not violate the constitutional rights of same-sex married couples or their survivors and is a constitutional exercise of authority by Congress, according to the U.S. Department of Justice in its brief to the 1st Circuit in a federal challenge to DOMA.

Defense of Marriage Act may be unconstitutional 

By: Pat Murphy
Published: January 26, 2011

Tags: civil rights, Defense of Marriage Act, same-sex marriage

A federal law protecting heterosexual marriages may violate the constitutional rights of same-sex spouses who are denied coverage under a state-maintained insurance plan, a U.S. District Court in California has ruled in denying a motion to dismiss.

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.

More suits challenge constitutionality of DOMA 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: November 12, 2010

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, equal protection, same-sex couples, same-sex marriage

Two more federal lawsuits were filed this week in Connecticut and New York challenging the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act.

Feds appeal Mass. same-sex marriage suits 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: October 19, 2010

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, same-sex marriage

Ending speculation, the federal government filed a notice indicating that it plans to appeal successful challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act in federal court in Massachusetts.

Mass. same-sex marriage suits on hold 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: August 24, 2010

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, same-sex marriage

Federal challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act pending in Massachusetts have been temporarily stayed, pending an appeal by the U.S. Government.

Defense of Marriage Act violates states’ rights 

By: Pat Murphy
Published: July 9, 2010

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, gay marriage, same-sex marriage, Tenth Amendment

The federal law recognizing only heterosexual marriages infringes on powers reserved to the states under the U.S. Constitution, a U.S. District Court in Massachusetts has ruled in granting summary judgment.

Same-sex spouses can’t be denied federal benefits 

By: Pat Murphy
Published: July 9, 2010

Tags: civil rights, Defense of Marriage Act, equal protection, gay marriage, same-sex marriage

A law restricting certain federal benefits to those in heterosexual marriages violates the equal protection rights of those in homosexual marriages, a U.S. District Court in Massachusetts has ruled in granting summary judgment.

The biggest family law stories of 2009 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: December 23, 2009

Tags: ADR, Defense of Marriage Act, divorce, ERISA, pension plan, proposition 8, same-sex marriage, social networking, valuation, virtual visitation

Throughout the past year, Lawyers USA has covered the biggest family law stories, from the impact of technology to the economy’s effect on divorce.

Here is a look at the top news in family law from 2009.

Feds respond in Mass. same-sex marriage suit 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: November 17, 2009

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, same-sex marriage

In response to a lawsuit by the state of Massachusetts, the U.S. government is arguing that states where same-sex marriage is legal can’t force the federal government to provide benefits to those couples.