LGBT+ Divorce
In January 2015, the United States Supreme Court announced they have ruled that same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry
in all states. The United States Supreme Court required that all 50 states, recognize same-sex marriages. With the right to marry
also comes the right to divorce.
The law is the same regardless of your sexual orientation, each case will have its own unique challenges. Having a lawyer who
understands those unique challenges means your needs are achieved through the divorce process. Whether this decision to end your
same-sex marriage was contested, uncontested, or collaborative we can help you.
Ms. Hudson can assist in child custody, child support, spousal support, property distribution, domestic and/or international
adoptions. Per federal law, Texas now cognizes same-sex marriages and consequently, same-sex
divorce. This means that same-sex couples receive the same rights as heterosexual couples with it comes to property division,
possession and access of the children, and spousal support. A lawyer can help you demonstrate common law relationships as well.
Child custody and visitation can be complex where one spouse is the biological parent and the other spouse never formally adopted
the children. The nonbiological parent may struggle to establish parental rights. If you are adopting
your spouse’s biological children, or the two of you are adopting a child together this legal proceeding can be very complex. We can help.
Sometimes determining the assets and dividing property in divorce can often be problematic. Many same-sex couples created common-law
unions or married in states that permitted same-sex marriages at the time. Some couples did “remarry” in the states they lived in when
they could, while others remained in common-law marriages.
Identifying the official commencement of marriage impacts the interplay between separate property rights and community property rights
of the parties and the respective estates. When child custody is questioned it is important to protect not only the child(ren) but the
biological and non-biological parent.
We have come a long way since this ruling from the United States Supreme Court. Challenges still arise for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender couples continue gaining legal rights and recognition that were previously not available to them under the law.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation.