| Parent-Child Tort Immunity |
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| The doctrine of parental immunity for torts against a child is an American invention. The immunity was judicially created to advance specific policies, mainly the preservation of family harmony and the right of parents to raise their children as they saw fit and the prevention of collusive suits. The immunity was adopted in almost every jurisdiction in the United States. More... |
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| Sexual Harassment in Schools |
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| A school cannot be held liable for ignoring the usual schoolyard behavior such as teasing and cruel behavior. However, the school may be liable for failing to take reasonable action against serious and long-term student sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is defined as harassment on an individual on the basis of their gender.
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| Right of Putative Father to have his Child Bear his Surname |
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| In some instances, a putative father who gains custody or visitation of his child may want the child's surname changed from that of the mother's to his own. Neither parent has a paramount right over the other to assign to the child a particular surname, even in those jurisdictions that statutorily mandate the child's surname initially is to be that of the mother. More... |
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| Tax Considerations Relating to Child Support |
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| For federal income tax purposes, payments of child support are not tax-deductible by the parent who makes the payments but child support is tax-free to the recipient. In order to qualify as child support, the amounts an ex-spouse receives must be designated as child support in the divorce or separation agreement. None of a payment that is lumped together as either family support or alimony is considered child support for tax purposes. In addition, family support or alimony is taxable to the recipient. More... |
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| Bifurcated Divorces |
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| A court may order the termination of the marriage of a husband and wife, while reserving the resolution of certain issues for a later time. This procedure is called a "bifurcated divorce." When a bifurcated divorce is ordered, issues such as the division of the spouses' property, child custody, and child support are decided at a separate trial or hearing, after the marriage is terminated.
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