Family Law Issues Overview

Family Law Issues Overview

Family Law includes many topic areas, such as marriage, divorce, custody and visitation, and domestic violence. Legislators are frequently called upon to make decisions on these sensitive issues, and NCSL can help provide balanced information.

Marriage - this site contains resources and information about common law marriage, covenant marriage, marriage licenses, premarital counseling and same sex marriage.

Marriage Education, Fatherhood and Family Formation - have all been found to have a direct impact on child well-being. States are exploring programs that strengthen marriage, encourage responsible fatherhood and teach unmarried parents to co-parent. Federal officials have put a renewed emphasis on using TANF funds to support healthy marriage in welfare reauthorization and many state policymakers have developed initiatives in response.

Same Sex Marriages-this site has information on state Defense of Marriage Acts (DOMAs).

Divorce - this site has links to information on alimony, no-fault divorce and property division.

Custody and Visitation - this site has information on joint custody, and a state-by-state treatment of third party visitation laws, including who is allowed to seek visitation and under what circumstances.

Domestic Violence - this site contains information on services to victims, penalties and treatment for batterers, and state efforts to help children in violent families.

NCSL staff can provide comprehensive, thorough, and timely information on critical family law issues. Staff working on these issues include the Children and Families Program in Denver and the human services federal affairs staff in Washington, D.C. We provide services to legislators and staff working to improve state policies affecting children and their families. Denver staff focuses on state policy, tracking legislation and providing research and policy analysis, consultation, and technical assistance specifically geared to the legislative audience. Denver-based staff includes Stephanie Walton, Katie Thurstin and Kyle Ramirez-Fry. Denver staff can be reached at 303.364.7700 or cyf-info@ncsl.org.

NCSL staff in Washington, D.C. track and analyze federal legislation and policy and represent state legislatures on family law issues before Congress and the Administration. In D.C., Sheri Steisel and Lee Posey can be reached at 202.624.5400 or fedhumserv-info@ncsl.org.