Jacob v. Shultz-Jacob
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
923 A.2d 473 (2007)
Jacob (plaintiff) and Shultz-Jacob (defendant) raised four children together as a couple: two Shultz-Jacob adopted, and two born through artificial insemination by Frampton (defendant), a friend who stayed involved in the children's lives, was called "Papa," and contributed financially. After the couple separated, Jacob sued for custody of all four children and tried to join Frampton in a related support case, which the court initially denied. The trial court ultimately split custody among Jacob, Shultz-Jacob, and Frampton, ordered Jacob to pay roughly $983 monthly support without including Frampton as a contributor, and Jacob appealed both the custody and support rulings.
Whether the non-biological partner in a same-sex couple has standing to seek custody after separation, and whether a sperm donor who remains actively involved in his children's lives and receives partial custody must contribute to their financial support.