Inequality and the Future of Family Law

Friday, April 27, 2018 12:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 28, 2018 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

At a time of increasing inequality, families – and legal assumptions about families – are increasingly growing apart. The likelihood of marriage, divorce, unplanned pregnancy, access to fertility clinics, residential and relationship stability increasingly reflects differences in income, education, race, region and religion. In response, family law has become more willing to recognize families of choice, where the adults intentionally create a variety of arrangements. But family law is still beset by profound disagreements over how to treat numerous issues such as unplanned families, informal cohabitations that become longer-term arrangements, and adults without formal legal ties to a child. In a world of greater family diversity, what does it means to do justice to families who do not necessarily share the same assumptions or cultural norms about their relationships?   

The conference theme is intended to be inclusive, extending to both public and private law, doctrinal and clinical family law approaches, and those from the social sciences. International and comparative approaches are strongly encouraged but not required. Participants will be welcome to propose panels or individual presentations.