USLegal Reporter » Family Law

Nebraska Calls Special Session Regarding Safe Haven Law

Della Sellers — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:55:43 +0000

Nebraska’s Governor, Dave Heineman, Wednesday called for a special legislative session on November 14 to revise the state’s recently passed safe haven law. Originally, the governor planned to wait until January when the legislature reconvened, but the date has been moved up due to continued abandonment by parents and guardians of pre-teens and teenagers.

The current law, which became effective in July, allows the drop-off of children at a licensed hospital without fear of prosecution, but does not limit the age of such children. As a result, around 23 teens and pre-teens have been abandoned with parents citing uncontrollable and violent behaviors. The intent of the law was to protect children who are in immediate danger of being harmed by panicked mothers. The revisions will limit the safe haven to three-day old infants.

Source: http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2008/10/nebraska-governor-calls-special.php

Same-Sex Marriages in California Reach 11,000

Dana Altman — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:42:54 +0000

After legalizing same-sex marriages, California has registered 11,000 such marriages in the first three months of legalization, surpassing the number of such marriages in the four years after they were legalized in Massachusetts. California and Massachusetts are the only two states in the country where same-sex marriages are legal. UCLA’s Williams Institute conducted a study which estimated that 11,000 same-sex couples were married in California from June 17, when the California Supreme Court began allowing the weddings, to Sept. 17. Gary Gates, a demographer at the Williams Institute, claims that the number of same-sex marriages represents only about 10% of the same-sex couples in California.

Next month Californians will vote on Proposition 8, which would amend the state’s constitution to define marriage as between only a man and a woman. Meanwhile, the California Department of Public Health is once again changing the state’s marriage license form. After same-sex marriages were legalized, the language on the form replaced the words “bride” and “groom” with the terms “Party A” and “Party B”. Due to objections, the form is being changed to allow the option of identifying as bride and groom, as well as groom and groom, bride and bride, or leaving the space blank.

Source:http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=607&docId=l:l:864238844&topicId=12722&source=undefined&start=14&topics=single

Nebraska Man Abandons 9 Children Under State Safe Haven Law

Dana Altman — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:15:46 +0000

Described as being “overwhelmed”, a Nebraska resident, Gary Staton, took his children to a local hospital and walked away free from prosecution under the protection of the state’s safe haven law, which covers minors up to the age of 19. All states have similar laws, which were originally enacted to protect infants in immediate danger from being abandoned in dumpsters and left elsewhere to die.

Staton’s wife died from a brain aneurysm 17 months ago, days after delivering the youngest child. Nebraska’s governor has urged legislators to amend the law to apply to newborns and prevent it from being used in cases of unruly or defiant children.

Source: http://www.ketv.com/cnn-news/17553170/detail.html

Spears’ Father and Law Firm Maintain Conservatorship

carrie — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:16:41 +0000

A Los Angeles judge on Thursday extended the right of James Spears to retain contol over the estate of his daugther, pop singer Britney Spears. James will continue to serve as co-conservator along with one of Britney’s lawyers.

Britney has had two hospital stays since January for medical and psychiatric evaluation. Her father was made temporary conservator when it was determined Britney was unable to care for herself.

James will serve as consevator until March 10th at which time another hearing will be held to determine if Britney is able to resume control of her affairs.

Source: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g5W6VggHKF4Mgt0HdQ36m175DUdgD8UQEF9G0

More information on conservatorships can be found at the following link: http://definitions.uslegal.com/c/conservatorships/