Free Online Summaries of Family Laws in All Fifty States

Posted on October 30, 2007 by J. Benjamin Stevens
The American Bar Association's Section of Family Law publishes charts in its Family Law Quarterly which summarize the basic laws in each state by topic, including custody, alimony and grounds for divorce.  These charts are current as of November 2006, and they are useful as a quick reference to both attorneys and clients.  Charts are available on the following subjects:
Source: Thanks to John Harding for his article on this subject published at his California Divorce Blawg.
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Passport Denial Program Helps Recover Past Due Child Support

Posted on October 11, 2007 by J. Benjamin Stevens
The new passport requirements that complicated travel this past summer have also uncovered vast numbers of parents who owe back child support.  Through its Passport Denial Program, the State Department denies passports to noncustodial parents who owe more than $2,500 in back child support. Once the owing parent has satisfied their child support arrearage, they may reapply for a passport.

Considering that millions of additional travelers are now required to have passports to fly back from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and South America, collections under the Passport Denial Program are on pace to almost double this year.  States have reported collecting at least $22.5 million through the program thus far in 2007.  Perhaps this is one program that the government has finally gotten right.

Source: "New Passport Rules Help Recover Back Child Support" by Dan Nunley, published at his Oklahoma Family Law Blog.
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