| Post-Adoption Contact with Grandparents |
| Traditionally grandparents were generally assumed to have no legal standing to seek visitation or custody of their grandchildren over the objection of the children's parents. Occasionally, a court exercising the state's parens patriae power would place a child with a grandparent when a parent died, was abusive, or was otherwise incapacitated. When parental fitness had not been challenged, however, both common law and constitutional precedents supported the right of parents to determine whether or not their children could spend time with grandparents.More... |
| Juvenile Litigation with Respect to Institutional Confinement Facilities |
| There are many juveniles that are confined to public and private institutions. Many of the institutions have deplorable conditions. Juveniles are often held in dingy cells or small, dark rooms and are confined for hours, days, or weeks. Often times juveniles are deprived of exercise, recreational activities and schooling. Sometimes juveniles are even supervised by untrained or inadequate staff as well.More... |
| Parental Liability for a Minor's Torts |
| A parent may be liable for a minor's torts. The parent may be found liable if the parent was negligent in their actions. The parent may be liable for an injury inflicted by the minor, if the injury was the natural and probable consequence of the parent's negligent act. The injury should be reasonably foreseeable due to the parent's negligence. More... |
| Self-representation In a Divorce Action |
| There is no requirement that parties to a divorce action hire an attorney to represent them during the divorce proceedings. Either party or both parties may represent themselves during their divorce proceedings. Whether one chooses to represent themselves or hire an attorney, is a personal choice. One should weigh the advantages and disadvantages involved in self-representation.More... |
| Status Offenders |
| A status offense is an act of noncriminal misbehavior committed by a person under the age of majority. Running away from home, being truant from school, and refusing to obey lawful and reasonable parental demands are examples of status offenses. The state may intervene when juveniles commit any of these acts solely because of their age. More... |
