Law Library
Family Law Research Guide
PRIMARY SOURCES
Print Sources
A useful place to begin research is the BNA Family Law Reporter Looseleaf Service (KF 501.A3F3). This service provides an analysis and commentary on the law as well as primary authority (in all jurisdictions). The reference binder may contain full text of new or proposed Uniform and Model Acts. The Current Development binder contains citations and abstracts of important new cases and statutes or proposed legislation.
See Also:
1. Martindale-Hubbell Law Digest, Part IV, See the Appendix, Uniform
and Model Acts
2. Matrimonial, Family and Health Laws: with Annotations from Federal and State courts, KF 884.5.U5 (part of the series, Uniform Laws Annotated as of 2005)
Note: Always check the Family Law Sections of the Westlaw and Lexis directories for the most current availability and information regarding Family Law Databases. See the Westlaw and Lexis section for further guidance. (Authorized password required.)
SECONDARY SOURCES
Selected Article Headings in Legal Encyclopedias:
The following encyclopedias are available in the Reference Area. For additional titles, use the Subject Indexes at the end of each encyclopedia set.
Some sample article headings:
Corpus Juris Secundum (CJS)
o Abortion and Birth Control; Family Planning
o Adoption of Persons
o Breach of Marriage Promise
o Children Out of Wedlock
o Concealment of Birth or Death
o Divorce
o Domestic Abuse and Violence
o Husband and Wife
o Infants
o Marriage
o Parent and Child
American Jurisprudence 2d (AmJur2d)
Abduction and Kidnapping
Abortion and Birth Control
Adoption
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Annulment of Marriage
Community Property
Desertion and Nonsupport
Divorce and Separation
Guardian and Ward
Husband and Wife
Illegitimate Children
Infants
Juvenile Courts and Delinquent and Dependent Children
Marriage
Prenatal Injuries: Wrongful Life, Birth or Conception
Welfare Laws
New York Jurisprudence (NYJur2d)
Domestic Relations
Infants and Other Persons Under Legal Disability
Public Welfare and Old Age Insurance
Support of Persons
Core Collection in Family Law
Below are listed available titles on various aspects of Family Law. Not all available titles are listed, so make sure to check SUMMIT for additional holdings pertaining to your topic.
• Abrams, Douglas E. and Sarah H. Ramsey. Children and the Law: Doctrine, Policy, and Practice, 2nd edition KF479.A7 A25 2003
• Amelar, Jessica. Elder Law and Will Drafting KFN5111.A33 A764 2004
• American Law Institute. Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution: Analysis and Recommendations KF535 .A86 2003
• Andersen, Ellen Ann Out of the Closets and into the Courts: Legal Opportunity Structure and Gay Rights Litigation KF4754.5 .A96 2005
• Atkinson, Jeff, Modern Child Custody Practice KF505.5 .A98
• BNA Family Law Reporter, Nov., 1974-present KF 501.A3F3 (also as an electronic resource)
• Brashier, Ralph C., Inheritance Law and the Evolving Family KF755 .B73 2004
• Clark, Homer H. The Law of Domestic Relations in the United States, 2d. edition (West Hornbook), 1988 KF 504.C555 (on reserve)
• Colker, Ruth. The Disability Pendulum: the First Decade of the Americans with Disabilities Act KF480 .C64 2005
• Crosson-Tower, Cynthia. Exploring Child Welfare: a Practice Perspective HV741 .T682 2004
• Dalton, Clare. Battered Women and the Law KF9322.A7 D35 2001
• Divorce Lawyers at Work: Varieties of Professionalism in Practice KF 535.M38 2001
• Elkins, Lee. New York Law of Domestic Violence KFN6121.4 .E44 1998
• Family Law in Action: A Reader (1999) KF505 .B538 1999
• The Family Lawyer’s Guide to Building Successful Client Relationships KF311.P67 2000
• Fox, Sanford. The Law of Juvenile Courts in a Nutshell, 1983 KF 9795.F68 (on reserve)
• Forell, Caroline A., A Law of Her Own: The Reasonable Woman as a Measure of a Man KF9325 .F67 2000
• Friedman, Lawrence Meir. Private Lives: Families, Individuals, and the Law KF505 .F75 2004
• Gold-Bikin, Lynne Z., The Divorce Trial Manual: from Initial Interview to Closing Argument KF535 .G65 2003
• Gregory, John DeWitt et al. Understanding Family Law, 2nd edition KF505 .G734 2001
• Guggenheim, Martin. What’s Wrong with Children’s Rights HQ789 .G78 2005
• Lyster, Mimi E. Child Custody: Building Parenting Agreements that Work KF547.Z9 L97 2003
• Katz, Sanford N., Family Law in America KF505 .K38 2003
• Kelly, Liz. Violence Against Women and Children: Vision, Innovation and Professionalism in Policing; VIP Guide HV6250.4.W65 K44 2003
• Kennedy, Randall, Interracial Intimacies: Sex, Marriage, Identity, and Adoption KF511 .K46 2003
• Kitchin, S. B. (Shepherd Braithwaite) A History of Divorce HQ811 .K5 2002
• Kramer, Donald T. The Legal Rights of Children, 2nd edition, 1994 KF 479.L44 1994
• Krause, Harry D. Family Law in a Nutshell, 4th edition, 2003 KF 505.Z9K7 (also on reserve)
• Kuersten, Ashlyn K. Women and the Law: Leaders, Cases, and Documents KF478 .K84 2003
• New York Family Law Statutes. KFN5115 .A3 2006 (on reserve)
• MacKinnon, Catharine A. Women’s Lives, Men’s Laws KF478 .M26 2005
• Mezey, Susan Gluck, Disabling Interpretations: the Americans with Disabilities Act in Federal Court KF480 .M49 2005
• Myers, John E. B. Myers on Evidence in Child, Domestic, and Elder Abuse Cases KF9673 .M94 2005
• O’Brien, Thomas M. Child Welfare in the Legal Setting: a Critical and Interpretive Perspective KF3735 .O27 2004
• Oliphant, Robert E. Work of the Family Lawyer KF504 .W6 2004
• Peters, Philip G. How Safe is Safe Enough?: Obligations to the Children of Reproductive Technology RG133.5 .P48 2004
• Ramsey, Sarah H. and Douglas E. Abrams, Children and the Law in a Nutshell KF479.Z9 R36 2003
• Schneider, Elizabeth M. Battered Women & Feminist Lawmaking KF9322 .S36 2000
• Schweitzer, Harvey. Foster Care Law: a Primer KF3736.5 .S39 2005
• Shanley, Mary Lyndon. Making Babies, Making Families: What Matters Most in an Age of Reproductive Technologies, Surrogacy, Adoption, and Same-Sex and Unwed Parents HQ536 .S48 2001
• Shapiro, Vivian. Complex Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology: a Developmental Approach to Clinical Practice HV875 .S476 2001
• Shields, Richard W. Collaborative Family Law: Another Way to Resolve Family Disputes KE569 .S55 2003
•
• Truly, Traci. Grandparents’ Rights: with Forms (2001) KF547.Z9 T78
Form Books and Drafting Materials
• Am Jur Legal Forms 2d KF1700.A42. Also on CD -Rom - ERC- Floor 3
• Am Jur Pleading and Practice Forms KF 8836.A45. Also on CD-ROM - ERC- Floor 3
• Law and Family New York, West Group, 1986. KFN 115.F67
• McKinney’s Law and the Family New York Pamphlet Law Library-Stack 1 KFN 5115.M27
1999
How to Locate Additional Titles using SUMMIT
SUMMIT is Syracuse University’s online catalog, which includes all libraries on campus as well as ESF’s Moon Library. SUMMIT should be searched when you want to find books, treatises, looseleaf services, journals, and government documents. (Bird Library is a Government Depository library).
SUMMIT can be searched in a variety of ways: by author, title, journal title, subject, or any combination thereof. For further assistance with SUMMIT, please inquire at the Help Center located on the third floor of the Law Library.
Listed below are some subject headings relevant to Family Law:
Abuse
Adoption
Adoption and Child Abuse and Neglect
Adoption and Grandparent’s Rights
Adoption and Foster care
Alimony and Cohabitation
Alimony and Homosexuality
Alimony and Maintenance and Child Support
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Assisted Conception
Assisted Conception and Child Support
Assisted Conception and Homosexuality
Assisted Conception and Paternity
Assisted Conception and Custody
Attorney’s Fees and Custody
Bankruptcy and Alimony and/or Child Support
Bankruptcy and Welfare
Bankruptcy and Martial Debt and/or Home
Bigamy
Child Abduction and Criminal Law
Child Abduction and Custody
Child Abuse and Neglect and Domestic Violence
Child Abuse and Neglect and Evidence
Child Support
Child Support and Homosexuality
Children’s Rights
Cohabitation and Domestic Partnership
Cohabitation and Property Division
Common-Law Marriage
Contempt
Custody
Divorce
Domestic Partnership
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence and Civil Rights
Domestic Violence and Custody
Domestic Violence and Criminal Law
Education
Elder Care
Elder Care and Disabled Adults
Employment Benefits
Employment Discrimination
Family law
Foster care
Gifts
Grandparents’ Rights
Grandparents’ Rights and Adoption and/or Visitation
Guardianship and Custody
Guardianship and Elder law
Homosexuality and Civil Unions
Homosexuality and Marriage
Homosexuality and Custody
Insurance and Assisted Conception
Insurance and Property Division
Interspousal Agreements
Marital Debts
Marriage and Aliens and Citizenship
Mediation
Military Benefits
Parental Rights Termination
Paternity
Paternity and Child Support and/or Custody
Premartial Agreements
Property Division
Same-Sex Couples
Separation Agreements
Visitation
Welfare
Wills and Estates
Bibliographies
You can quickly expand your research and save time by reviewing all relevant bibliographies which cover your topic. Bibliographies appear as separate publications, in law review articles, and frequently in notes and appendixes of treatises.
The following titles are located in the Reference Collection:
• Equal Educational Opportunity for All Children (1994) KF 4155.29 M39 1994
• Guide to Researching the Child Care Component of the Family Support Act of 1988 (1995) KF3732.117.A16E24 1995
• Practitioners Guide to the Joint Physical Custody of Children (1989) KF 547.Z9V57 1989
• Reproduction, Technology, and Rights (1996) R 724.B4 1996
Videocassette Recordings
The following are examples of videos available (on reserve) in the Law Library:
• Child Abuse and Neglect: The Attorney’s Role, Center for Instructional Development, Syracuse University (1990) KF 9323 .C54
• City of Shelter: A Coordinated Community Response to Domestic Violence (2000) HV 6626 .O26c 2000
• Discipline or Abuse? MI v. Skousen (1998) KF224 .C68 A 44
• Divorcing Dad: Jocius v. Jocius (1998) KF .C68 J634 1998
• Domestic Violence: Behind Closed Doors, Ivanhoe Broadcast News (1994) HQ 809 .D654
• Failure to Protect:The Caseworker Files (2003) HV742.M2
• Graduating Peter: an HBO Production (2003) LC4631 .G73
• IDEA Procedural Safeguards: Parents’ Rights, Districts’ Responsibilities (1999) LC 4019 .I22
• Interviewing a Child Witness: Implications for Investigating Child Abuse (1994) KF9682 .U64
• Irretrievably Broken: A Divorce Lawyer Goes to Court (1994) KF 224 .C68 H35 1994
• Multiple Transitions: A Young Child’s Point of View About Foster Care and Adoption (1997) HV 873 .M85 1997
• Planning for the Guardianship of Minors, American Law Institute (1994) KF 553 .P52
• TN v. Tucker: Two Children Dead: Mistake or Murder? (1995) KF224 .C68 D8
• Tough Love or Child Abuse (1999) KF 224 .C 68 T68 1999
• Why Don’t the Kids Have a Voice? (2000) HQ 789 .W5
To find other Videocassettes at the Law Library, search SUMMIT with a Keyword Search or Build-A-Search using the word "videorecording" and a term particular to your topic.
Journals and Law Reviews in the area of Family Law
The following titles are currently held in print, microfiche, or they are available online in the Law Library. For online holdings, check the Westlaw and Lexis directories.
Bibliographies of law Reviews and Journals can be searched on SUMMIT, Westlaw or Lexis by using the term "bibliography" or similar terms such as "survey", "symposium", etc. and the LC Subject Heading that pertains to your topic.
American Journal of Family Law
Children’s Legal Rights Journal
Family Advocate (ABA, Section on Family Law)
Family Law Quarterly (ABA, Section on Family Law)
Journal of Law & Family Studies
Canadian Journal of Family Law
International Journal of Law, Policy, & Family
Journal of Family Issues (Bird, 4th Floor, HQ1.J463)
Juvenile and Family Court Journal
Marriage and Family Review (Bird, 4th Floor, HQ503.M3)
University of Louisville Journal of Family Law
Syracuse University Law Review, Annual Survey; Family Law
Journal Indexes
• Westlaw/Lexis
In Westlaw, search the FL-TP database for Family Law texts and periodicals. In Lexis, search the ALLUS database for all law reviews and journals in the United States, the ADRMCR for all law reviews, and FAMLR for articles related to family law. (Authorized password required.)
• The Index to Legal Periodicals and Books (1981- )
All public workstations and cluster PC’s which access SUMMIT.
This is an electronic index to more than 1000 law-related English language titles.
• Index to Legal Periodicals (1863-1995) and the Current Law Index (1980-present)
Annual print volumes and paper monthly supplements - Floor 2 Index Table
The print version of the ILP is valuable for its historical depth. Search both by author, subject, case, or statute (popular name). Neither of these print indexes is cumulative, so you will have to search each volume and supplement for your chosen range of dates.
INTERNATIONAL AND FOREIGN FAMILY LAW ISSUES
International Law & Comparative & Foreign Titles at the Law Library:
• Bajpai, Asha. Child Rights in India: Law, Policy, and Practice KNS517 .B35 2003
• Bond, Johanna. Voices of African Women: Women’s Rights in Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania KQC145.W64 B66 2005
• Breen, Claire. The Standard of the Best Interests of the Child: a Western Tradition in International and Comparative Law K639 .B74 2002
• Child Sexual Abuse in Europe HV6626.5 .C54 2003
• Children, Education, and Health: International Perspectives on Law and Policy K3740 .C48 2005
• Chinese Family Law and Social Change in Historical and Comparative (1978) K670 .C53
• Convention on Contact Concerning Children KZ626 1954 .E8 no.192
• Coursen-Neff, Zama. Second Class: Discrimination Against Palestinian Arab Children in Israel’s Schools LC212.3.I75 C68 2001
• Cross Currents: Family Law and Policy in the United States and England K670 .C755 2000
• Disability Rights in Europe: From Theory to Practice KJC3490.A6 D57 2005
• Esposito, John L. Women in Muslim Family Law, 2nd edition KBP526 .E87 2001
• Family Law in New Zealand, 11th edition KUQ540 .F36 2003
• International Society on Family Law, World Conference (10th: 2000 : Brisbane, Australia) K670.A6 I58 2000
• The International Survey of Family Law, 2003 edition K670 .I58 2002
• Islamic Family Law in a Changing World: a Global Resource Book KBP540 .I85 2002
• Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Couples in Europe KJC1159 .L34 (2003)
• Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Partnerships: a Study of National, European, and International Law K699.A6 L44 2001
• Oakes, Wayne Thomas, Perspectives on Disability, Discrimination, Accommodations, and Law: a Comparison of the Canadian and American Experience K637 .O25 2005
• Principles of European Family Law Regarding Divorce and Maintenance Between Former Spouses KJC1105 .P74 2004
• Revisiting Children’s Rights: 10 Years of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child K639 .R48 2000
• Rosenblatt, Jeremy. International Conventions Affecting Children K639.A35 R67 2000
• Sonbol, Amira El Azhary. Women of Jordan : Islam, Labor & the Law HQ1729 .S66 2003
• Women’s Rights and Islamic Family Law: Perspectives on Reform BP173.4 .W64 2004
Materials in Foreign Countries
To find other materials particular to a country on SUMMIT, use either a Subject or Keyword search that includes the country name.
Example Keyword Searches:
"Family Law" +International
"Family Law" +Canada
International Law and Family Research Sources:
• Index to Foreign Legal Periodicals, 1960-present. Shelved on Lower Reference Bookshelf 2, K33 .I53)
• Berring, Bob, "International Law". videocassette KF 240.B476 (1990) Tape 7 (on reserve)
• Jacobstein & Mersky, Legal Research Illustrated, 6th ed., 1994. See Chapter 19, "International Law" KF 240.J32 (on reserve)
• Cornell University’s Foreign and International Law Sources on the Internet. http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/library/guides/foreign2/
• International Lawyer’s Deskbook K559 .I57 1996
Organizations
Organizations can also be a very helpful source of information. Some organizations, such as the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law were formed by attorneys and provide practice advice as well as information for the general public. Other organizations, such as the Children’s Defense Fund, and the National Center for Youth Law were formed as nonprofit advocacy organizations. Still others are primarily academic, such as the International Society of Family Law.
For a comprehensive listing of organizations, see the Encyclopedia of Associations, located on the First Floor Reference Wall, at AS 22.E5.
See also organizations listed on the College of Law’s Family Law and Social Policy Center Web Site @ http://www.law.syr.edu/academics/centers/flsp/links.aspx
Organizations on the World Wide Web
There is a wealth of information available on the web. Here is a partial list:
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
150 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2040
Chicago, Ill 60601
(312) 263-6477
http://www.aaml.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
• American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law
740 15th Street, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20005
(202) 662-1720
http://www.abanet.org/child/home.html
• Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
329 W. Wilson St.
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 251-4001
http://www.afccnet.org
• Children’s Defense Fund
25 E. St., N.W.
Washington D.C. 20001
(202) 628-8787
http://www.childrensdefense.org
• International Society of Family Law
http://www.law2.byu.edu/ISFL/index.html
• Legal Counsel for the Elderly
American Association of Retired Persons
601 E. St., N.W.
Washington D.C. 20049
(202) 434-2120
http://www.law.syr.edu/academics/centers/flsp/research_guide.aspx
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
1604 N. Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 881-4005
http://www.naela.com/
• National Center for Youth Law
114 Sansome Street, Suite 900
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 543-3307
http://www.youthlaw.org/
Some Useful Lexis Databases (as of January, 2006):
The Lexis Family Law Library contains federal and state case law, federal and state statutes, federal regulatory materials, bill text and tracking. Recent topical developments are found in the HOTLAW library. For coverage of domestic and foreign news and non-legal sources, see the Lexis Directory of Online Services. (Authorized password required.)
Family Law and Practice (FAMLPR)
Family Court Review - An Interdisciplinary Journal (FCCR)
Family Law Litigation Guide with Forms: Discovery, Evidence, Trial Practice (FAMLLT)
Family Law & Practice (FAMLPR)
Family Law Review Articles, Combined (FAMLR)
Family Medical Leave Act Opinion Letters (FMLA)
Some Useful Westlaw Databases (as of January, 2006):
New York Forms Legal and Business - Family Law (NY-FAMLF)
Federal Family Law - Cases (FFL-CS)
Family & Medical Leave Act of 1993 - Legislative History (FAMLV-LH)
New York Family Law Cases (NYFL-CS)
BNA Family Law Reporter (BNA-FAMLR)
WESTLAW Topical Highlights - Family Law (WTH-FL)
Law Reviews, Texts & Bar Journals Combined (FL-TP)
Andrews Disability Litigation Reporter (ANDISLR)
Andrews Nursing Home Litigation Reporter (ANNHLTGR)
Divorce Litigation (DIVLIT)
Elder Law Journal (ELDLJ)
Equitable Distribution Journal (EQDJ)
Fair$hare (FAIR)
Family Court Review (FAMCR)
Family Advocate (FAMADVO)
Family Law Quarterly (FAMLQ)
Family Law Reviews (FAM-LR)
Hastings Women’s Law Journal (HSTWLJ)
Journal of Juvenile Law (JJUVL)
Journal of Law & Family Studies (JLFS)
Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (JAMAML)
Journal of the Center for Families, Children & the Courts (JCFAMCC)
Matrimonial Strategist (MATRIMST)
New York Family Law Monthly (NYFLM)
U.C. Davis Journal of Juvenile Law & Policy (UCDJJLP)
Whittier Journal of Child & Family Advocacy (WTJCFA)
