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).
Shanks is an unincorporated community in Hampshire County in the U.S. state of West Virginia. According to the 2000 census, the Shanks community has a population of 806. Shanks is located east of Romney along the Northwestern Turnpike on the eastern flanks of South Branch Mountain. The community is centered around the intersection of U.S. Route 50 and Allen Hill Road (West Virginia Secondary Route 50/7). Shanks Roadside Park is located directly to its west on U.S. Route 50. The North Fork Little Cacapon River runs through the community. Most of Shanks' population resides at the Judy Mobile Homes Court behind the current post office along Allen Hill Road South. It has also become popular with people looking to refurbish older farmhouses along U.S. Route 50 and Allen Hill Road North.