Family Law

Son sues dad for identity fraud, seeks over $1M in damages

When DeWayne Keith Long tried to purchase a home and discovered his credit was in the toilet, he at first assumed a credit reporting agency had made a mistake. Then he discovered he was the victim of identity theft by his own father—whose name is also DeWayne Keith Long—he contends…

May 28, 2014 6:55 PM CDT

Lawyer charged with felony intimidation over Facebook message to client’s ex-husband

Attorney James Allen “Jim” Hanson says he was just trying to send a message to his client’s ex-husband to expect a vigorous defense. But his profanity-laced Facebook post to the man, which concludes “I’ve got you in my sights now,” conveyed more, Indiana prosecutors say. They have charged the 41-year-old…

May 23, 2014 7:10 PM CDT

An informal writing competition? Judges write with flourish in striking down gay-marriage bans

Federal judges striking down bans on same-sex marriage appear to be writing for a larger audience. A story by MSNBC quotes from the opinions and concludes they have turned into an informal writing competition among judges vying to write the most memorable decision. “Like teenagers playfully jostling each other in…

May 22, 2014 10:45 AM CDT

Federal judge strikes Pennsylvania ban on same-sex marriage; 19 states now OK such weddings

A federal judge in the Pennsylvania state capital struck down as unconstitutional Tuesday the state’s ban on same-sex marriages. “We are a better people than what these laws represent, and it is time to discard them into the ash heap of history,” said U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III…

May 20, 2014 8:55 PM CDT

Swiss court awards $4.5 billion in divorce; can ex-wife collect?

The ex-wife of a Russian billionaire has been awarded $4.5 billion in a divorce—a record amount for a divorce, according to her lawyer. A Swiss court ordered Dmitry Rybolovlev to pay that amount to his former wife, Elena, in papers delivered to the parties on Monday, the Associated Press reports.…

May 20, 2014 5:11 PM CDT

Man arrested for trying to bring loaded gun into courthouse had threatened his wife, authorities say

A 41-year-old man arrested Monday morning as he allegedly tried to bring a loaded gun into a Texas courthouse was there for a divorce case hearing involving his estranged wife, authorities say. Court records show that Hyonbo Ko also had two outstanding arrest warrants when he was taken into custody…

May 20, 2014 4:30 PM CDT

Judge upholds oral pact, says woman can implant fertilized eggs despite ex-boyfriend’s objection

In 2009, as Karla Dunston faced treatment for lymphoma that could, and did, make her infertile, she and her boyfriend agreed to create embryos together that could be frozen for subsequent use. A written agreement giving her control of the embryos was drafted but never signed. Later, Jacob Szafranski changed…

May 16, 2014 8:30 PM CDT

Job offers lured men to NJ town where threats and violence procured religious divorces, feds say

Those involved in bitter disputes over the granting of a divorce recognized by Jewish religious law might want to consider steering clear of one town in New Jersey. Federal charges in two separate criminal cases in Trenton allege that job offers in Lakewood were used to lure two out-of-state victims.…

May 16, 2014 6:50 PM CDT

Frankie Valli divorce case strengthens California’s community property law

The California Supreme Court has ruled that the former lead singer of the Four Seasons, Frankie Valli, is entitled to half the value of a $3.75 million life insurance policy purchased with marital assets before a divorce. The court ruled (PDF) on Thursday in a case that strengthened California’s community…

May 16, 2014 12:05 PM CDT

Exonerated man doesn’t have to split wrongful incarceration comp with ex, appeals court rules

A Texas law authorizing the payment of state compensation to individuals who were wrongfully incarcerated makes provisions for unpaid child support. But nowhere does it say that the comp is for lost income or community property, reports Courthouse News. Hence, the ex-wife of a former inmate awarded millions after serving…

May 15, 2014 5:45 PM CDT

Actor Jason Patric wins sperm-donor appeal, can try to show he is presumed parent of biological son

A California appeals court Wednesday agreed with actor Jason Patric that the Lost Boys star should be allowed to pursue a paternity claim concerning his biological son. A Los Angeles County trial judge had ruled that Patric, under a sperm donor agreement he made with his ex-girlfriend and state law,…

May 14, 2014 10:50 PM CDT

Where is legendary ‘Top 40’ DJ? Judge appoints lawyer to find Casey Kasem, 82 and ailing

Stunned to hear from an attorney representing the wife of legendary disc jockey Casey Kasem that the 82-year-old is no longer in the country, a Los Angeles judge on Monday ordered a court investigator and adult protective services to find Kasem and a doctor to evaluate Kasem’s medical condition. Los…

May 12, 2014 10:35 PM CDT

Lawyer who sued Apple last year over porn addiction now wants to marry his computer

Last year, a Tennessee lawyer made headlines when he filed a product liability suit contending that Apple Inc. was responsible for the pornography addiction that he says resulted when he mistyped a Web address into a MacBook Pro laptop. Now Chris Sevier is taking a different tack in federal litigation…

May 8, 2014 6:50 PM CDT

Under new state law, pregnancy drug use can mean assault charge for mom if baby is harmed

Faced with a growing number of babies born addicted to drugs, Tennessee legislators enacted a new law intended to reduce the problem. Signed into law by the state governor last week and effective July 1, it allows prosecutors to pursue criminal assault charges and potential jail terms if women bear…

May 5, 2014 6:55 PM CDT

North Carolina clergy bring religious freedom lawsuit against state’s same-sex marriage ban

A federal lawsuit filed yesterday in the Western District of North Carolina puts a new spin on pro-same-sex marriage litigation: religious freedom. In it, several individual clergy members and the General Synod of the United Church of Christ argue that state laws banning same-sex marriage unconstitutionally penalize them for practicing…

Apr 29, 2014 11:00 AM CDT