LOUISIANA FAMILY LAW
Final Examination, Spring 2002
QUESTION I
200 raw points
A. Is the Texas TRO entitled to FF&C in Louisiana?
| The Texas order is not entitled to full faith and credit in Louisiana |
10 points _______ |
| Ex parte orders are not entitled to FF&C under FPKPA |
10 points _______ |
B. Where does child custody jurisdiction lie?
| Texas has jurisdiction to hear the custody case |
10 points _______ |
Texas is the home state of the children |
10 points _______ |
Mention of Atkins v. Atkins |
10 points _______ |
| "Home state" is where the child has lived for six months |
10 points _______ |
prior to the date suit is filed |
10 points _______ |
| If child is less than six months old, since birth |
10 points _______ |
| Periods of temporary absence are counted |
10 points _______ |
C. Where does jurisdiction lie to dissolve the marriage?
| Both Louisiana and Texas have concurrent jurisdiction |
10 points _______ |
It's a race to judgment on the divorce
itself |
10 points _______ |
| Jurisdiction in divorce is based on domicile |
10 points _______ |
| Husband is domiciled in Texas |
10 points _______ |
Bexar County is a county of proper venue |
10 points _______ |
| Wife is domiciled in Louisiana |
10 points _______ |
Orleans Parish is a parish of proper venue |
10 points _______ |
D. Where does jurisdiction lie to determine alimony and child support?
| Alimony and child support require in personam jurisdiction |
10 points _______ |
Wife may be longarmed into Texas based on living there |
10 points _______ |
Husband may be longarmed into Louisiana |
10 points _______ |
| Both states have concurrent jurisdiction as to support |
10 points _______ |
QUESTION II
117 raw points
Carla wants custody. Where can she file?
| Definition of home state |
Credit this supra |
| Louisiana is home state and has jurisdiction |
3 points _______ |
Under UCCJEA |
3 points _______ |
| Texas may have continuing jurisdiction |
3 points _______ |
Under FPKPA |
3 points _______ |
If a custody decree was properly entered there at the divorce |
3 points _______ |
| Family Court of East Baton Rouge Parish has jurisdiction |
3 points _______ |
| Family Court of Harris County may have jurisdiction |
3 points _______ |
This may be a race to the courthouse |
3 points _______ |
| Discussion of home state definition |
Credit this supra |
| Trover was born illegitimate |
3 points _______ |
neither conceived nor born during marriage |
3 points _______ |
| Was Trover ever legitimated? |
3 points _______ |
| Subsequent marriage and acknowledgment? |
3 points _______ |
| Name on birth certificate? |
3 points _______ |
| Even if illegitimate, Bubba has standing as to custody |
3 points _______ |
| Even if legitimate, is Trover a "child of the marriage"? |
3 points _______ |
| Was custody ever granted by the Texas court? |
3 points _______ |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Was it a considered decree? |
3 points _______ |
| If so, Bergeron applies |
3 points _______ |
If Bergeron applies, criteria for modification of custody
| Change of circumstances test |
3 points _______ |
| Present environment deleterious |
3 points _______ |
| Clear and convincing evidence |
3 points _______ |
| Modification of visitation - best interests |
3 points _______ |
| If Bergeron applies, father will win |
3 points _______ |
| If Bergeron does not apply, mother could well win |
3 points _______ |
If initial decree, criteria for determining custody
| Wishes of parents |
3 points _______ |
| Presumption of joint custody |
3 points _______ |
with equal sharing of time |
3 points _______ |
| Love, affection and emotional ties |
3 points _______ |
| Capacity to provide love, affection & spiritual guidance, education |
3 points _______ |
| Capacity to provide food, clothing, medical care |
3 points _______ |
| Length of time child has lived in stable environment |
3 points _______ |
| Permanence of the family unit |
3 points _______ |
| Moral fitness of each of the parties |
3 points _______ |
| Mental and physical health of each of the parties |
3 points _______ |
| Home, school and community history of the child |
3 points _______ |
| Preference of the child if of suitable age |
3 points _______ |
| Willingness to encourage relationship with other parent |
3 points _______ |
| Distance between the respective residences |
3 points _______ |
| Responsibility for rearing previously exercised by parties |
3 points _______ |
QUESTION III
84 raw points
A. Antenuptial contracts
| Of right prior to the marriage |
3 points _______ |
| Within a year of moving to Louisiana |
3 points _______ |
| Any time with judicial authorization |
3 points _______ |
| Any time to adopt the legal regime |
3 points _______ |
| By authentic act or acknowledgment |
3 points _______ |
| Before a notary and two witnesses |
3 points _______ |
| Must be recorded to bind third parties and creditors |
3 points _______ |
| May define what is community property |
3 points _______ |
or abolish the community regime |
3 points _______ |
or waive permanent alimony |
3 points _______ |
| May not waive alimony pendente lite |
3 points _______ |
| May not limit child support |
3 points _______ |
| May not determine child custody |
3 points _______ |
B. Difference between a 102 and a 103 divorce
102 divorce
File petition, then wait 180 days |
3 points _______ |
from service
|
3 points _______ |
or waiver of service
|
3 points _______ |
Then file rule to show cause |
3 points _______ |
Nullity if 180 days have not elapsed |
3 points _______ |
Prescribes in two years |
3 points _______ |
|
|
|
|
103 divorce
Adultery |
3 points _______ |
Conviction of felony |
3 points _______ |
with sentence of death
|
3 points _______ |
or imprisonment at hard labor
|
3 points _______ |
Living separate and apart |
3 points _______ |
continuously
|
3 points _______ |
without reconciliation
|
3 points _______ |
for six months or more
|
3 points _______ |
on date petition is filed
|
3 points _______ |
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