Family law today reflects not only forty years of Supreme Court decisions, uniform family laws, and a trend toward federalization, but also the changing nature of families, which are often more defined by function than form. Fewer people are getting married; same-sex couples can enter into civil unions in numerous states; and more than six million people cohabitate. The number of children born out of wedlock has reached nearly forty percent. Increasing numbers of couples plan for dissolution or death by entering premarital or postmarital contracts. Assisted reproduction technology enables not only infertile couples to reproduce, but also same-sex couples. Therefore, today's survey of family law includes numerous topic headings that were not "issues" back in 1967 when we began this annual review. The volume of cases seems to expand exponentially, as reflected in the size of this Quarterly issue.

Charts, 41 Fam. L.Q. 709 (2008)

• Chart 1—Alimony/Spousal Support Factors
• Chart 2—Custody Criteria
• Chart 3—Child Support Guidelines
• Chart 4—Grounds for Divorce and Residency Requirements
• Chart 5—Property Division
• Chart 6—Third-Party Visitation
• Chart 7—Appointment Laws in Adoption, Guardianship, Unmarried Parent, and Divorce Cases

For details, see Charts: Summarizing the Laws in the 50 States.

This year's summary of family law cases covers approximately the period of August 1, 2006, through July 31, 2007. The case digests are presented in a topical outline framework and alphabetized by state within each topic heading. The summary does not include every case from every jurisdiction but highlights some of the more important ones. The digests are a result of reports submitted in each state by reporters and supplemented by Washburn Law School student staff.

The Annual Survey of Periodical Literature covers the period from approximately November 1, 2006, through October 31, 2007. The survey is not comprehensive in nature nor is it intended to promote any particular point of view. Rather, the author aims to highlight the variety and depth of family law scholarship produced during the year and underscore currently debated "hot topics."