Terminally ill patients often have concerns in areas such as estate planning; donation of body parts as anatomical gifts; right to die a natural death; and other questions. The mental health professional should be ready to offer informed data and to serve with the attorney as an interdisciplinary team. (Author)

Summarizes problems specific to remarrying families with children including complex kinship networks, ill defined roles, and financial and legal issues. Focuses on the family counselor's involving an attorney in services to remarrying families, with discussions of pre-marital agreements, inventories, living trust, estate planning, post-marital…

Some clients need encouragement to call a lawyer for an estate planning consultation. The counselor can prepare the client for the interview and serve with the lawyer as an interdisciplinary team interfacing with the client to guarantee that the family has both legal problems and emotional needs professionally considered. (Author)

Recent developments in the establishment of modern family codes of governing the relationships between husband, wife, and children have provided long needed vehicles which make interdisciplinary cooperation an absolute necessity. Counselors and lawyers must work together, as lawyers, courts, and juries proceed to divide families and property in…

Prior to death those who are properly prepared have reviewed their wills, insurance, and estate plans. When death arrives, the interdisciplinary team of lawyer, therapist, insurance person, accountant, and banker should serve the survivors so that the final requirements are handled with the least difficulty. (Author)

Discusses legal and psychological issues affecting newly married couples and their children by former marriages. Topics include discipline, premarital contracts, legal rights, personal relationships, and complications posed for the new marriage by settlements agreed to in the divorce. (DB)

A father who seeks custody faces unique problems which the mother does not face because of her personal familiarity with the children, their needs and activities. Educating the father to fulfill these needs and to develop proper parenting skills is the role of the marriage and family counselor. (Author)

The lawyer and counselor as an interdisciplinary team can inform the client as to complicating post-divorce problems as well as methods commonly used to conserve and effectively utilize the funds available. Thus the woman proceeds with full knowledge of the financial consequences and hazards of divorce. (Author)

Only two states have enacted statutes of privileged communications that prevent workers from being compelled to testify in court concerning matters revealed in confidence by clients. The author considers the need for further extension of this privilege and explains how workers and clients can protect themselves. (Author)

Presents information about the legal role and powers of the grand jury. Alerts social workers to the possible shift from being an informational witness to being the focus of inquiry. Guidelines for grand jury testimony are offered, and the legal rights of social workers are reviewed. (JAC)

A consideration of legal rights and obligations, together with an effort to effectively handle these rights prior to and during marriage will relieve present and future anxieties and tensions. Parties should consider the antenuptual agreement, as well as partitions of property during marriage. (Author)