Description
Book SynopsisNontraditional families are today an important part of American family life. Yet when a loved one dies, our inheritance laws are often stingy even towards survivors in the nuclear family. With humor, enthusiasm, and a bit of righteous outrage, Ralph C. Brashier explores how probate laws ignore gender roles and marital contributions of the spouse, often to the detriment of the surviving widow; how probate laws pretend that unmarried couplesparticularly gay and lesbian onesdo not exist; how probate laws allow a parent to disinherit even the neediest child; and how probate laws for nonmarital children, adopted children, and children born of surrogacy or other forms of assisted reproductive technology are in flux or simply don't exist. A thoughtful examination of the current state of probate law and the inability of legislators to recognize and provide for the broad range of families in America today, this book will be read by those with an interest in the relationship between families and the law across a wide range of academic disciplines. Author note:
Trade Review"This well-documented study examines the role of inheritance in non-traditional family forms. Clearly presented is the role of probate law in influencing the life ways of these varied family forms. The author demonstrates that current inheritance laws developed over historic times with the focus on the nuclear family that is no longer the norm.... This book will be of tremendous value to family researchers, psychologists, sociologists, lawyers, the legal system and social practitioners."
—Marvin B. Sussman, Ph.D.
"This is an enlightening survey of American inheritance laws. Brashier outlines how our laws differ in troubling ways from common features of inheritance laws in other countries and also notes how our laws have largely not yet adapted to unmarried partner relationships. He makes sensible recommendations about how our laws should be changed."
—J. Thomas Oldham, John H. Freeman Professor of Law, University of Houston Law Center
"[A]n engaging read: clear, concise, with an easy flow. It is also very informative, but conspicuously uncluttered. Most importantly, its message is timely and should be heeded."
—Estate Planning
"It would make an excellent addition to law firm, academic and public law library collections."
—Legal Information ALERT
"Brashier crams a tremendous amount of well-cited material into this brief, clearly written volume."
—Law & Politics Book Review
"...comprehensive discussion of whether a parent-child relationship exists for inheritance purposes with regard to nonmarital children, adopted children, and children of reproductive technologies, and also the rights of spouses and unmarried cohabitants."
—Wills, Trusts, and Estates
"In this informative book, Brashier presents a fascinating analysis of how the changing structure of the family is impacting inheritance laws.... Brashier addresses controversial issues in an informed, articulate and thoughtful manner.... It is [a] fine addition to the library of anyone wishing to provide financially for their families."
—The Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare
"Brashier's book skillfully and engagingly shows how inheritance laws across the fifty United States have not kept up with changes in American family life... Brashier's ability to convey the key principles behind an almost bewildering array of examples makes this book potentially quite valuable to economists who seek a better understanding of inheritance law, the transfer of wealth in the US, and the law's impact on the lives of women, men, and children."
—Feminist Economics
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. Spouses 2. Unmarried Cohabitants 3. Children 4. Paternity 5. Adoption 6. Assisted Reproduction Final Thoughts: Where from Here? Notes Index
