Book excerpt: The sixth edition of the casebook retains most of the discussion cases in the previous edition and complements them with statutes indicating changes in American law. Among the changes incorporated are civil unions, now available in four states, and the extensive domestic partnership statute incorporated into California law. Additional incorporations include the safe haven laws, plus the recent partial birth abortion decision of Gonzales v. Carhart. The casebook seeks to balance federal and state interests and to offer a smattering of international statutes for comparison. The book is designed to be used in a two, three or four credit course. Specific topics include:Private ordering after Marvin v. MarvinParental rights after Troxel v. GranvilleSame Sex Marriage after Goodridge v. Department of Public HealthAssisted Reproduction after the Uniform Parentage ActChildren's custody, support, relocation, protection from injury, and adopti