Constitution Day – 2014

Family law is usually considered a state law issue – removed from federal and constitutional issues.  However, gay marriage and even grandparent visitation rights are two family law issues impacted by the U.S. Constitution.  Is there a constitutional right to gay marriage?  Can a parent deny visitation to a grandparent?  The Constitution has an answer.

This blog previously addressed constitutional/family law issues here.  Grandparent rights and the right to raise your child are discussed in Troxel v. Granville (2000) 530 U.S. 57 (“liberty interest [as defined in the 14th Amendment] at issue in this case–the interest of parents in the care, custody, and control of their children–is perhaps the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests recognized by this Court.”

Happy Constitution Day!