Introduction to the sixth edition

• Pages: 5-7
• Author: Walter Wadlington,Raymond C. O'Brien,Robin Fretwell Wilson

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INTRODUCTION TO THE SIXTH EDITION

The need for a sixth edition of this concepts and insights series

results from the subject area’s continuing evolution. Once focused on

individual state regulation of marriage, fault divorce, spousal

support, and child custody, family law now involv es enforcement of

nonmarital support agreements, assisted re productive technology,

international enforcement of custody decrees, and premarital,

marital, and post-marital contracts. It also now encompasses an

individual’s liberty interest applied to marriage, spousal

surveillance, and the independence of minors, to name but a few. A

century ago, only the most prescient could hav e imagined the scope

of today’s domestic relations.

The purpose of this concise book is to introduce students of

domestic relations to the themes and parameters o f today’s major

family law issues from the perspectives of the law itself,

practitioners, and commentators. There are few footnotes. Cases,

statutes, and commentaries are added only to provide those

interested with searchable resources upo n which to build greater

insight into the concepts identified. Our goal is to provide the reader

with an insightful start, which we hope permits a more fruitful

search into the topics discussed.

This edition discusses and illustrates current significant themes

in domestic relations. First, challenges to Free Exercise prompt

opinions issued by the United States Supreme Court. Second, the

percentage of nonmarital cohabitants, many with children, continues

to increase and with it issues of paternity, division of property held

solely in one party’s name, and whether there is sufficient evidence

to warrant orders of future financial support. Third, all forms of

assisted reproductive technology are increasingly utilized; financial

support from insurance will only increase the numbers of persons

utilizing surrogacy, in vitro fertilization, and artificial insemination.

Multiple legal issues arise, such as maternity and paternity

parentage, genome editing, ownership of the embryos, and

inheritance rights.

Scientific advances e nable assisted reproductive technology to

permit conception and birth in situations unimaginable even a few

decades ago. This prompts a fourth theme, establishing parenthood

outside the existing presumptions found in statutes mo deled on the

Uniform Parentage Act (2017). Today, a child may be genetically

related to more than two donors, thus increasing the number of

parents with a genetic connection. Issues of parentage, essential to

protection under the United State s Constitution, are often litigated