Reconceiving the Family: Critique on the American Law Institute’s Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution

This 2006 book provides a critical examination of and reflection on the American Law Institute’s (ALI) Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution: Analysis and Recommendations (‘Principles’), arguably the most sweeping proposal for family law reform attempted in the US over the last quarter century. The volume is a collaborative work of individuals from diverse perspectives and disciplines who explore the fundamental questions about the nature of family, parenthood, and child support. The contributors are all recognized authorities on aspects of family law and provide commentary on the principles examined by the ALI - fault, custody, child support, property division, spousal support and domestic partnerships, utilizing a wide range of analytical tools, including economic theory, constitutional law, social science data and linguistic analysis. This volume also includes the perspectives of US judges and legislators and leading family law scholars in the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada and Australia.