Family Law

THIS WEEK’S FOLDER CONTAINS YOUR LAST DISCUSSION BOARD, WHICH IS ALSO YOUR SECOND
Background To This Week’s Question: Your final class Discussion Board deals with yet another cutting issue in Family Law.  A very interesting article appeared in the New York Times a few years ago, written by a man discussing the two fertilized frozen embryos that he had created with his former fiance.  The author asked this key question in the article:  When should fertilized embryos be treated not as property, but as a vehicle to give life?   Specifically he asked – “When we create embryos for the purpose of life, should we not define them as life, rather than as property?”
Now this would be an important topic no matter the couple involved, but in this case the author was previously engaged to actress Sofia Vergara, who is currently on the television show Modern Family. Ms.Vergara wanted the fertilized embryos to remain frozen “indefinitely” according to her lawyers (she is now married to another man) – while her former fiance wanted to have the embryos implanted in a surrogate to see if he will have a biological child carried to term.  He is independently wealthy according to the article, and would want nothing from Ms. Vergara in terms of either supporting or being legally liable for the child should one by born by a surrogate.  Ms. Vergara would of course be the other biological parent of any such child. Ms Vegara’s attorneys eventually got this case dismissed by the court.

Here is the NY Times Article referenced above:
Family Law Spring 2018 NY Times Vegara Embryo Discussion Board.docx
Over the past few years, states have been discussing or passing laws dealing with the treatment of embryos in family law cases.  Arizona’s Governor just signed such a bill into law last week.  Here is a copy of that bill for your review:
FAMILY LAW 2018 ARIZONA EMBRYO BILL.pdf
Here is a summary of some recent articles on the subject:
FAMILY LAW EMBRYOS AND DIVORCE.docx
After reviewing the above materials, please address this Final Discussion Board question: How do you think the fertilized embryos should be treated by the courts in family law cases?  What do you think of state regulation in this area? What if the couple signed a contract dealing with this issue before the divorce – should the contract be enforced?  Remember there is no right/wrong answer, just your best analysis as part of the discussion.
You must post by Saturday May 5th at 10:00 p.m., and respond to another student’s post by Monday May 8th at 10:00 p.m.
ONCE YOU HAVE POSTED AND REPLIED FOR THIS DISCUSSION BOARD, I WILL ADD 15 POINTS TOWARDS YOUR FINAL GRADE. PLEASE REMEMBER TO COMPLETE THIS LAST DISCUSSION BOARD SINCE IT ALSO COUNTS AS YOUR SECOND HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT!
As a class you’ve done such a great job all semester with your DB Postings.
I’m really looking forward to reviewing your FINAL CLASS DISCUSSION BOARD/HOMEWORK 2 ASSIGNMENT!

Please read articles

Please write 2 pages and discuss

Final Discussion Board question: How do you think the fertilized embryos should be treated by the courts in family law cases?  What do you think of state regulation in this area? What if the couple signed a contract dealing with this issue before the divorce – should the contract be enforced?  Remember there is no right/wrong answer, just your best analysis as part of the discussion.