Monthly Archives: October 2008

Two Parent Adoption Adoption Law What is a two-parent adoption? A child adopted by an unmarried couple is a two-parent adoption. This is the type of adoption often used by lesbian and gay couples in the handful of states that … Continue reading →

How long must child support be paid? The duration of this responsibility depends upon state law. All states require both parents to be financially responsible for their child during the child’s minority, generally through the child’s high school years. A … Continue reading →

Second Parent Adoption Adoption Law What is a second-parent adoption? A child adopted by the unmarried partner of the child’s legal parent is a second-parent adoption. This route has been successfully used (where permitted by state law) by lesbians and … Continue reading →

How do child care costs get factored in? The cost of child care can likewise be apportioned between the parents. Because child care costs are incurred so that a parent is able to earn income, it means that a greater … Continue reading →

Equitable Adoption Estoppel Adoption Law What is ‘equitable adoption’ or ‘adoption by estoppel?’ Equitable adoption (also called putative or constructive adoption) occurs in the situation where a parent makes certain promises or acts in a certain manner so as to … Continue reading →

What other items do formulas consider? Time Spent With Child. Besides the respective net incomes of the parents, the amount of time each parent spends with the child is factored into the formula. Since a parent who spends more time … Continue reading →

Step Parent Adoption Adoption Law What is step-parent adoption? When a parent remarries after the death of a former spouse or after a divorce, the new spouse may desire to formally adopt the child or children of their current spouse. … Continue reading →

How are support payments treated under federal income tax rules? Child support payments are typically not deductible from the income of the payer and are not included as taxable income to the supported spouse. Alimony or spousal support payments are … Continue reading →

Legal Adoption Adoption Law What is ‘adoption’ in a legal sense? Adoption is the process through which the natural parents’ rights and obligations toward their children) are terminated, and the adoptive parents assume these rights and obligations. Once a child … Continue reading →

What about paying for college or private school expenses? Whether parties in a divorce must pay the expenses of their child(ren)’s college education depends on the law in the state where the parents live and any agreement between the couple. … Continue reading →