The sixth edition of the casebook retains most of the discussion cases in the previous edition and complements them with statutes indicating changes in American law. Among the changes incorporated are civil unions, now available in four states, and the extensive domestic partnership statute incorporated into California law. Additional incorporations include the safe haven laws, plus the recent partial birth abortion decision of Gonzales v. Carhart. The casebook seeks to balance federal and state interests and to offer a smattering of international statutes for comparison. The book is designed to be used in a two, three or four credit course. Specific topics include:Private ordering after Marvin v. MarvinParental rights after Troxel v. GranvilleSame Sex Marriage after Goodridge v. Department of Public HealthAssisted Reproduction after the Uniform Parentage ActChildren's custody, support, relocation, protection from injury, and adopti

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.

Distilled from years of Fortune 500 consulting practice, Shulman's administrative tools and techniques in Qualified Domestic Relations Order Handbook help plan administrators streamline the entire QDRO review and compliance process, while cutting the risk of errors, penalties, and litigation. They include model policies and procedures, review checklists, staff training cases, and more. Contains new models and guidelines for drafting airtight QDROs that speed approval, maximize your clients' rights, and steer you through the malpractice minefields of ERISA and the IRC. Author Gary Shulman begins with QDRO basics, then dissects the key elements of defined contribution and defined benefits plans. He walks you through the preparation of QDROs for different plans and conditions -- using tested models and sample language. An entire chapter highlights 17 crucial malpractice traps, followed by checklists, attorney Q&A, and tips on working proactively with plan administrators.