Handling LGBT & Same Sex Family Law Issues
"Our legal system works. The trick is to find an attorney who makes it work for you." — Attorney Steven J. Mandel
New York has finally recognized the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry. However, Federal Law does not yet do so. Consequently, gay and lesbian couples do not have the same legal protections and allowances as heterosexual couples. As a result, issues related to custody of children, division of property upon separation, spousal maintenance, HIPAA regulations and health care directives, and HIPAA regulations and health care directives are made much more difficult for same sex couples.
While waiting for marriage equality to become the Federal law of the land, legal options exist which effectively provide similar legal protection to same sex couples. The attorneys at The Mandel Law Firm will help you and your partner prepare contracts, wills, powers of attorney, health care proxies, partnership agreements and other documents to legally protect your rights as a couple.
Finding Family Law Solutions That Work
Our LGBT lawyers have the knowledge, experience and sensitivity necessary to answer questions and handle the variety of legal issues specifically faced by same sex couples:
- Prenuptial, Postnuptial and Cohabitation agreements enforceable outside of New York State
- Division of property upon separation
- Gay and lesbian divorce
- Custody and support of children
- Dissolution of long-term relationships
- HIPAA regulations and health care directives, including Last Wills and Testaments and Durable Powers of Attorney
- Tenancy agreements
- HIPAA regulations and health care directives
- Non-biological parent and second parent adoptions
- Reallocation of assets
- Transfer of real estate and other property
- Same-sex domestic violence
- Marriage contracts for transgendered/transsexual individuals
- Donor insemination agreements
- Living together agreements, including sharing of expenses
- Contracts for long term couples
- Agreements to combine income & assets
- Contract for ownership of real property purchased together
- Parenting agreements between biological parent & second parent
Leaders in Gay and Lesbian Family Law
In recent years, a number of important legal developments have occurred regarding same-sex marriages. The laws in many states are in a state of flux, often making it necessary to combine contract law, family law and HIPAA regulations and health care directives in order to create solutions that work for our gay and lesbian clients. Our broad-based experience allows us to apply a wide range of tools to resolving a dispute or protecting your rights.
At The Mandel Law Firm, we're poised on the cutting edge of development in this area. We follow cases on a daily basis in order to be able to use new legal precedents to advance our clients' cases. We have successfully been involved in many such matters.
Protecting Your Partner, Children and Assets
Gay and lesbian couples who have prenuptial, postnuptial or Living together agreements, including sharing of expenses, tenancy agreements or otherwise documented legal relationships are in a better position should they decide to terminate their relationship than those that don't, since they have already discussed and agreed upon most of those issues that would arise upon termination. If there is a child involved, adoptions and second parent adoptions can protect the legal rights of the non biological parent, allowing the adoptive parent legal standing to seek custody and visitation. Additionally, your ex-partner may sue you for a division of marital or partnership assets, including any equity acquired in your home during your relationship, any earnings on investments during that time, and interest earned on your bank accounts.
Schedule Your Consultation Today With a NYC LGBT Family Law Attorney
Let us help protect you, your partner, your child and your assets from unnecessary and unforeseen circumstances before they arise.
The Mandel Law Firm believes that love knows no gender. Our lawyers have the knowledge and experience needed to help you assert your rights and to ensure you are fully protected. Contact us today online, or by telephone toll free at (888) 2 WIN NOW (888-294-6669) or locally at (212) 697-7383 to learn more in a free consultation.
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