In a much anticipated decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has now defined parentage to include intent-based parentage in the landmark case Glover v Junior. Historically Pennsylvania recognizes parentage of a biological...more
We all remember “The Brady Bunch” — the picture-perfect story of two families seamlessly coming together under one roof, complete with a catchy theme, and every conflict resolved neatly in 22 minutes. But in reality, blending...more
The Connecticut Parentage Act has introduced a new way for people to become legal parents in the state. A de facto parentage petition can now establish the same legal relationship between a child and the individual as its...more
As the holidays approach, family is at the forefront in many people’s minds. Families come in every variety of size, color, age, gender and chaos. Some families look like the Cleavers or the Cosbys. Others look more like the...more
In March 2012 Joe Caldwell and Jacqui Spencer have a child. Seventeen months later Jacqui and the toddler move in with Philip Jaurigue. For the next several years the child lives primarily with Jacqui and Phil. Then Jacqui...more
The Superior Court decision this week in Jacoby v. Jacoby is non-precedential but borrows heavily from a 2011 precedential decision in an Orphans’ Court appeal, In re Estate of Brown. The Brown case reminds us that judicial...more
When Dad bought a house solely in his name, can Stepmother claim a community property interest after Dad has died? Perhaps yes. The answer lies at tricky intersections of California probate law and family law. While family...more
Intentional interference with expected inheritance (IIEI) was recognized as a legal claim in California about eight years ago in Beckwith v. Dahl (2012) 205 Cal.App.4th 1039. Last week, the Court of Appeal issued the first...more
When attorneys advise errant trustees, how vulnerable are they to breach of trust claims by injured beneficiaries? A case published last week by the California Court of Appeal provides a defensive roadmap to attorneys who are...more
When individuals think about family law matters, few realize that stepparent adoptions can be one of the most contentious family law cases out there. On the surface level, many may wonder why? They might view adoption as...more