Andrew Schepard, An Introduction to the Model Standards of Practice for Family and Divorce Mediation, 35 FAM. L.Q. 1 (Spring 2001).

This article has a modest aim-to introduce the Model Standards of Practice for Family and Divorce Mediation to those in the legal and mediation communities not familiar with them. It discusses the significance of the Standards, the process of developing them, what the author regards as the most important issues they address, and their most significant innovations. The article closes with a vision of the future role of family lawyers in mediation.

Model Standards of Practice for Family and Divorce Mediation, 35 FAM. L.Q. 27 (Spring 2001).

This article presents the complete text and commentary of the Model Standards of Practice for Family and Divorce Mediation.

Paula Roberts, Biology and Beyond: The Case for Passage of the New Uniform Parentage Act, 35 FAM. L.Q. 41 (Spring 2001).

This article is designed for state officials, advocates, and citizens who are involved in the state legislative process. It explains UPA (2000) in detail and provides the rationale behind its provisions, including those required by federal law and those that represent policy choices. Where policy choices are involved, it explains the choice in light of current law and social science research as well as best state practices. As background, it examines the modern history of the paternity establishment system and explores the federal statutes and their implications. The article shows how UPA (2000) addresses the paternity of marital children, the paternity of nonmarital children, and explains the need for paternity registries. The last section considers parentage in the context of assisted reproduction and surrogacy. Hopefully, this format will provide the detail needed for attorneys, advocates, and legislators to assess UPA (2000) and work for its passage in their states.

Uniform Parentage Act (2000) (with Unofficial Annotations by John J. Sampson, Reporter), 35 FAM. L.Q. 83 (Spring 2001).

With the promulgation of the Uniform Parentage Act (2000), all earlier uniform acts dealing with parentage have been withdrawn by NCCUSL, leaving the Uniform Parentage Act (2000) as the single product of the Conference dealing with the subject. The comments, together with the annotations, provide a brief version of a legislative history, which ordinarily is not found in state legislation. The uniform act, comments, and unofficial annotations are available here to the bench and bar for use by trial courts in construing the act.

Uniform Interstate Enforcement of Domestic-Violence Protection Orders Act (with Prefatory Note and Comments by Andrew C. Spiropoulos), 35 FAM. L.Q. 205 (Spring 2001).

The Uniform Interstate Enforcement of Domestic-Violence Protection Orders Act provides a uniform mechanism for the interstate enforcement of domestic-violence protection orders. The need for such a mechanism is founded on the widespread understanding that states have not consistently or effectively enforced domestic-violence protection orders issued by other states. The Act, therefore, has two main purposes. First, it defines the meaning of interstate enforcement in the context of the enforcement of domestic-violence protection orders. Second, it establishes uniform procedures for the effective interstate enforcement of domestic-violence protection orders.

Publication Date: August 2001