In the common law tradition, the law of domestic relations is a broad category that encompasses:
- divorce;
- property settlements;
- alimony, spousal support, or other maintenance;
- the establishment of paternity;
- the establishment or termination of parental rights;
- child support;
- child custody;
- visitation;
- adoption; and
- Emancipation of minors.
In some jurisdictions, guardianships, truancy, and matters related to juvenile delinquency are considered part of the law of domestic relations.
Many sorts of dispute fall into this broad category; many people who will not otherwise have any dealings during their lives with the judicial system have domestic relations disputes. Because of the volume of legal business generated by the law of domestic relations, a number of jurisdictions have established specialized courts of limited jurisdiction, sometimes called family courts, which hear domestic cases exclusively.
Famous quotes containing the words domestic and/or relations:
“Hilary Clinton’s great sin was that she left the nicely wallpapered domestic sphere with a slam of the door, took up public life on her own, leaving big feminist footprints all over the place, and without so much as an apology.”
—Patricia J. Williams (b. 1942)
“In the relations of a weak Government and a rebellious people there comes a time when every act of the authorities exasperates the masses, and every refusal to act excites their contempt.”
—John Reed (1887–1920)