Family law is an area of the law that deals with family-related issues and domestic relations including the nature of marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships; issues arising during marriage, including spousal abuse, legitimacy, adoption, surrogacy, child abuse, and child abduction; the termination of the relationship and ancillary matters including divorce, annulment, property settlements, alimony, and parental responsibility orders (in the United States, child custody and visitation, child support and alimony awards).
Elkland is an unincorporated community in northwestern Webster County, Missouri, United States. It is located on Route 38 about ten miles northwest of Marshfield. In 1987 resident James Schnick murdered six of his relatives and attempted to frame his nephew Kirk Buckner, who was among the victims. Elkland is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. Elkland is home to the Elkland Christian Church,Elkland Independent Methodist Church and the Elkland United Methodist Church. The Pleasant View Methodist Church is located outside of Elkland and services are held in the civil war era building each Memorial Day. Coordinates: 37°26′35″N 93°01′52″W / 37.44306°N 93.03111°W / 37.44306; -93.03111