This is the paperback printing of the casebook published in 2014. This is a brand new Abridged Edition of the very popular Family Law: Cases, Text, Problems . Family law is an interdisciplinary area, and the materials in this Abridged Fifth Edition reflect the numerous components, influences, and issues under the family law umbrella. The traditional version served a dual role as reference work and teaching tool. Users will find that this new abridged edition better serves the teaching function. The reduction in length has been achieved without changing the book's basic orientation. This book is policy-oriented, with non-legal social science adressed in note materials to provide a rich and varied learning experience. Notes do more than call attention to difficult questions of legal doctrine and policy; they illuminate them. The authors use a problem approach throughout, in addition to comprehensive case law sources. Problems provide an ideal mechanism for students to acquire the ability to apply legal rules to concrete fact patterns. Ira Mark Ellman is a Charles J. Merriam Distinguished Professor of Law and Affiliate Professor of Psychology, Emeritus at Arizona State University and Distinguished Affiliated Scholar, Center for the Study of Law and Society at the University of California, Berkeley. Paul Kurtz is Associate Dean & Professor Emeritus at The University of Georgia School of Law. University of California College of the Law, San Francisco Brian Bix is Frederick W. Thomas Professor for the Interdisciplinary Study of Law and Language at University of Minnesota Law School. He also holds a joint appointment with the Department of Philosophy. Karen Czapanskiy is a Professor Emeritus of Law at the University of Maryland School of Law,