Newsletters

Abortion and Consent

The medical procedure of abortion is one of the most performed procedures in the United States. Prior to a woman seeking an abortion she should have sufficient information about the procedure. In some states abortion clinics may make the woman wait a period of time prior to performing the procedure. The most common period of time is a 24-hour window between the time that the woman enters the clinic requesting an abortion and the time that the procedure is actually performed.

Adoption and Safe Families Act - Permanency Plans and Hearings

The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) requires states to conduct a permanency hearing within 12 months of a child's placement in foster care and at least every 12 months thereafter for as long as the child is in foster care. The date of the child's placement in foster care is the earlier of the following two dates: the date of the first judicial finding that the child is abused or neglected, or 60 days after the removal of the child from his or her home.

Foster Children

A child may be removed from a household if they are abused, either sexually or physically, or neglected. The child may be neglected in that they are not provided with their basic needs such as food, shelter, and emotional stability. The goal for the foster child is that the child be cared for by capable foster parents for a temporary period of time.

Same-Sex Marriages

A same-sex marriage is defined as a marriage between two individuals of the same gender. The issue of same-sex marriages is a hotly debated topic. In the most recent election in the United States, more than ten states voted to amend their state constitution's and define a marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Most other nations do not recognize same-sex marriages as legally valid, nor do they allow them to occur.

Parent-Child Tort Immunity

The doctrine of parental immunity for torts against a child is an American invention. The immunity was judicially created to advance specific policies, mainly the preservation of family harmony and the right of parents to raise their children as they saw fit and the prevention of collusive suits. The immunity was adopted in almost every jurisdiction in the United States.