Legal Opinion
People ex rel. Watts v. Watts
New York City Family Court
Decided August 8, 1973PublishedCited by 26 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtSybil Hast Kooper, J.
The Family Court is now vested with original jurisdiction to determine custody of children (Family Ct. Act, § 651, as amd. by L. 1972, eh. 535). This is such an action between the mother and father of three infant children, who are each suing for custody.
Although in theory, a father has an equal right with the mother to the custody of his children, in well over 90% of the cases adjudicated, the mother is awarded custody. (Drinan, The Right of Children in Modem American Family Law.)
Yet, sound application of the “best interests of the child” criterion requires that the court not place a greater…
2Cases cited12 opinions
- Stanley v. IllinoisSupreme Court of the United States · 1972
- Meyer v. NebraskaSupreme Court of the United States · 1923
- Pierce v. Society of SistersSupreme Court of the United States · 1925
- Prince v. MassachusettsSupreme Court of the United States · 1944
- Loving v. VirginiaSupreme Court of the United States · 1967
7 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by26 opinions
- Albright v. AlbrightMississippi Supreme Court · 1983
- Ex Parte DevineSupreme Court of Alabama · 1981
- Nudelman v. Ferrer BolívarSupreme Court of Puerto Rico · 1978
- In Re the Marriage of BowenSupreme Court of Iowa · 1974
- J. B. v. A. B.West Virginia Supreme Court · 1978
21 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.