Source: https://ceb.com/newsflash-for-family-law
Timestamp: 2018-08-22 03:51:42
Document Index: 252388512

Matched Legal Cases: ['§400', '§527', '§6301', '§6', '§6450', '§1037']

2017 NewsFlash! Key Statutory Developments For Family Law | CEB
2017 NewsFlash! Key Statutory Developments For Family Law
No more waiting! Orders on child custody and visitation rights are immediately appealable.
Domestic violence victims have one less hurdle to obtaining evidence.
Yes, judges may be paid for solemnizing marriages on the side.
A change in the law last year created confusion about whether an active judge could be compensated for solemnizing a marriage. It’s now cleared up: Active judicial officers may accept reasonable payment and reimbursement of expenses for solemnizing marriages. See Fam C §400 (Stats 2017, ch 42, effective July 10, 2017).
More privacy protection for minors who are victims of domestic violence.
The laws on restraining orders against harassment or abuse and protective orders to prevent domestic violence have been amended to permit a minor (or the guardian) to petition the court to keep confidential all information on the minor that was obtained when issuing the order. The new law sets out the findings the court must make before granting the petition, including that the minor’s privacy overcomes the right of public access to the information. See CCP §527.6 and Fam C §6301.5 (amended by Stats 2017, ch 384, effective January 1, 2018). Applying for temporary orders to address extraordinary circumstances is discussed in CEB’s California Child Custody Litigation and Practice §6.7.
Parents get an earlier shot at working out custody and visitation issues in mediation.
Domestic violence protection orders cross the border from Canada.
Canada already recognizes domestic violence restraining orders issued by California courts, and now, with enactment of the Uniform Recognition and Enforcement of Canadian Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act, California will be able to reciprocate. The Act specifies the requirements for a Canadian domestic violence protection order to be enforceable and requires law enforcement officers to enforce it as if the terms were in an order of a California court. See Fam C §§6450-6460 (added by Stats 2017, ch 98, effective January 1, 2018). Temporary orders are covered in CEB’s California Child Custody Litigation and Practice, chap 6.
Definition of domestic violence counselor is expanded to include those who work at higher education institutions.
The domestic violence counselor-victim privilege protects against disclosure of confidential communications between the victim and a domestic violence counselor. A “domestic violence counselor” is a person employed at a “domestic violence victim service organization.” These organizations were defined as a nongovernmental organization or entity that provides shelter, programs, or services to victims of domestic violence and their children. That definition has been expanded to include public or private institutions of higher education. See Evid C §1037.1 (amended by Stats 2017, ch 178, effective January 1, 2018). The domestic violence counselor-victim privilege is discussed in detail in CEB’s California Trial Objections, chap 39.
New law streamlines the process under surrogacy agreements.