NCJ Number
200512
Date Published
2002
Length
44 pages
Annotation
This chapter addresses domestic court issues including custody and termination of parental rights cases.
Abstract
Custody and termination of parental rights cases are often linked with child abuse and neglect cases, and legal cases that determine the physical custody of a child are of great importance. Following a discussion of biological parents, psychological parents, list of preferences, test of best interest, tender years doctrine, child’s desires, and rights of custodial parents as significant variables under consideration when determining child custody, the author details the Federal Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act, issues of joint custody, and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act. Focusing on the amount of money one parent pays to another in order to help pay for the costs of raising a child, the author discusses child support laws and enforcement. Issues of illegitimacy and paternity are discussed along with details from the Supreme Court case Stanley v. Illinois, presented in order to illustrate parental fitness. Addressing the termination of parental rights, the author describes voluntary and involuntary rights’ termination detailing the burden this imposes on social service agencies in having to determine standards of proof. Appendices presenting a client survey and a mock trial. References, Appendix