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Show Laws Governing Women's Employment and Status 253 husband or may hold the wife liable for his support in case of divorce on the basis of his mental illness. Eleven States 16 allow alimony to either spouse; in addition, Massa chusetts and New Hampshire allow the husband a portion of the wife's alimony. The statutes of Colorado and Vir broad to ginia enough apply to either spouse, but in actual practice be limited to the wife since in neither State does there alimony may estate in the nature of are appear to be a husband. judicial determination permitting alimony to the JJ9. Parent and Child Under the common law, the father was the preferred natural guard ian of the person of a minor child and as such had the care, custody, control, and responsibility for the education of the child. This rule has been by statute in the majority of States, to provide that abrogated natural guardianship of a minor child is vested jointly in both parents. 11 Six States specifically provide by statute that the father is the pre ferred natural guardian of a minor child and in l-Alabamar-the father is preferred by virtue of the common law. In addition, 7 States 18 and the District of Columbia specify by stat ute that the father is preferred when it is necessary to appoint a guard ian of the estate of the minor. If the marriage is broken by divorce or legal separation, generally neither parent has any legal advantage the other as to custody of a minor child; the best interests of the child guide the court's disposition of custody. If there is a contest between the parents regarding custody or guardianship of minor over children, at least 7 States provide that, all other things being equal, the mother has a preferred right if the child is of tender years, and the father has a preferred right if the child is of an age to require education and preparation for labor or business, 19 Unmarried parents.-An unmarried mother is considered the natural guardian and entitled to the custody of her child. The father becomes the natural only if he legally acknowledges his relationship guardian to the child or marries the mother. Inheritance by parents from children.-N 0 distinction exists between the rights of the father and those of the mother to inherit from legiti Most States allow the unmarried mother to inherit mate children. from her child. North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, 18 Alaska, California, Illinois, Iowa, Oregon, Utah, West Virginia. North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas. 17 Alaska, Georgia, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas. 18 Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, South Dakota, Utah. 19 California, Michigan, Montana, Oklahoma, Arizona, |
