Family Law

Deportation of 4-Year-Old US Citizen Reignites ‘Anchor Babies’ Debate

The case of Emily Ruiz’s is refueling the debate surrounding the legal status of the children dubbed by immigration reformers as “anchor babies.” Emily, who was born in the United States to illegal immigrants, was supposed to return to New York on March 11, according to the New York Times.…

Mar 23, 2011 7:26 PM CDT

Home School or Public School? NH High Court Steps into Dispute Between Warring Parents

When divorced parents Martin and Brenda Kurowski could not agree on how to educate their daughter, a New Hampshire judge made a decision. The girl would attend public school, the option favored by her father, the judge ruled. On Wednesday, the state supreme court affirmed the decision, the Nashua Telegraph…

Mar 17, 2011 12:31 PM CDT

‘Crockefeller’ Charged with Murder re 1985 Disappearance of Calif. Couple

Twenty-six years after a young couple vanished from their San Marino home, prosecutors in California have charged a German national known as “Crockefeller” with murder concerning the death of the man. John Sohus’ apparent skeleton was found in 1994 as the yard was being dug up for a swimming pool.…

Mar 15, 2011 11:31 PM CDT

Idaho Lawyer Gunned Down After Filing Client’s Divorce

Emmett Corrigan, a 30-year-old Boise, Idaho, lawyer in practice since October, was shot and killed Friday, allegedly by a man whose wife was Corrigan’s employee. The shooting took place in Meridian, a Boise suburb. The suspect, Robert Hall, allegedly confronted Corrigan over “domestic issues,” Meridian Deputy Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea…

Mar 14, 2011 4:43 PM CDT

Charlie Sheen Praises LAPD re Raid on His Home: ‘They Can Protect and Serve This Warlock Anytime’

In the latest chapter of the Charlie Sheen saga, the Los Angeles police department raided the actor’s home last night in a search for any firearms and ammunition that might be there, in violation of a protective order obtained by his ex-wife, Brooke Mueller. The Associated Press says it isn’t…

Mar 11, 2011 6:58 PM CST

Were Divorce Lawyer’s Reasons for Seeking Recusal of 3 Judges in One Case Frivolous?

Cyndi Cheatham says she was simply seeking to see that her client, who is married to a man in a well-known Franklin County, Tenn., family, got a fair divorce trial. The client, Marla Byrum says she couldn’t find a lawyer in Franklin County willing to represent her, and Cheatham says…

Mar 11, 2011 1:16 AM CST

Lawyer Is Suspended Over Her Marriage to an Elderly Client

Back in 2002, Linda Lowney drafted a will for her client, Thor Tollefsen, that provided for his estate to go to his sister and two nieces in Norway. But by 2005 the 54-year-old California attorney had become involved with Tollefsen, 85. He gave her $339,000, with his nieces’ consent, and…

Mar 9, 2011 9:59 PM CST

Mel Gibson to Take Plea Requiring No Time in Case Over Alleged Battery of Ex-Girlfriend

Actor Mel Gibson reportedly is about to plead no contest in a domestic battery case concerning his ex-girlfriend in exchange for a sentence that includes no jail time. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office declined to comment, but attorney Blair Berk, who represents Gibson, said in a written statement that…

Mar 9, 2011 9:10 PM CST

After 14 Months, Transgender Couple Is Licensed to Marry in NYC

It took 14 months, but an unidentified couple in New York City now has a license to get married. And, in the process of battling for their rights, the two have persuaded the city clerk’s office to adopt a new written policy for dealing with transgender people, the New York…

Mar 8, 2011 10:36 PM CST

Lawyer Sues Ex-Fiancé, Also an Attorney, Seeking Alleged $63K Cost of Bora Bora Wedding

Robert Leighton’s alleged bad behavior after a Las Vegas bachelor’s party created a rift between Chicago attorney Lauren Serafin and her ex-fiance, who is also a lawyer. The result, she says, was the couple’s break-up prior to their planned Bora Bora destination wedding. But Serafin still is out nearly $63,000…

Mar 8, 2011 12:07 AM CST

Lawyer’s Only Case Results in Suspension ... and No Fee

In the more than 15 years that he has been admitted to the Pennsylvania bar, Gary Alan Frank has had only one case. But that one case was enough to get him into hot water with the state’s attorney disciplinary authorities. Earlier this week, Frank was suspended for a year…

Mar 4, 2011 11:30 PM CST

Report: Wife Chilled by 40-Mile Wild Ride on Hubby’s Windshield, But Not Severely Hurt; He’s in Jail

After reportedly clinging to the windshield of her husband’s car as he hit speeds of up to 100 mph during a 40-mile wild ride, a California woman was treated for hypothermia. But Rebecca Carroll, 25, was not severely hurt, complaining only of back pain and facial abrasions, reports the Manteca…

Mar 2, 2011 9:21 PM CST

Charlie Sheen in New Legal Battle: Judge OKs TRO and His Sons Are Taken From His Home

Charlie Sheen was back in the news today after his ex-wife claimed he had threatened her and obtained a temporary restraining order and his two young sons were removed from his California home last night. “I do not know where my children are, but I am not panicking. This is…

Mar 2, 2011 7:19 PM CST

Despite Obama Decision to Reject DOMA, Feds Will Still Fight Lawyer’s Same-Sex Benefits Case

Following news last week that President Barack Obama had decided the Defense of Marriage Act is an unconstitutional violation of equal protection comes news this week that the revised policy may be narrower than some onlookers had initially thought. Although the Department of Justice is reportedly reversing its previous position…

Mar 2, 2011 1:25 AM CST

As Surrogacy Becomes More Popular, Legal Problems Proliferate

Illustration by James Steinberg Like many couples, R.W.S. and B.C.F. wanted a child of their own. But the couple—in this case two gay men from Minneapolis—had ruled out adoption, which left surrogacy their only viable option. So the two men did what so many others in their position have done:…

Mar 1, 2011 11:40 AM CST