Establishing a Same-Sex/LGBT*QIAP+ Family
The laws regarding same-sex/LGBT*QIAP+ families have been in a constant state of flux. In 2010, the Florida Third District Court of Appeal ruled that the adoption statute, which prohibited a gay person from adopting a child in Florida, is unconstitutional. In 2014 a Florida United States District Court ruled that the ban on same-sex marriage found in Florida statutes and in Florida’s constitution is unconstitutional. In January of 2015 the first same-sex marriages were performed in Florida, allowing same-sex couples, for the first time in Florida, to establish themselves as families.
But the laws in this area are still constantly changing and evolving. And there are still many issues being faced by same-sex couples who established their families prior to the laws changing. This, coupled with the fact that new Court cases and legislation are coming out, no pun intended, at a dizzying pace, means it is especially important for same-sex/LGBT*QIAP+ couples to seek the assistance of an experienced family law and estate planning law firm. This is especially true if you and your partner already have children and were not married when they were born. Even if you get married now, there still may be things which you will need to do to protect the unity of your family and make sure both partners have full parental rights regarding the children.
But the laws in this area are still constantly changing and evolving. And there are still many issues being faced by same-sex couples who established their families prior to the laws changing. This, coupled with the fact that new Court cases and legislation are coming out, no pun intended, at a dizzying pace, means it is especially important for same-sex/LGBT*QIAP+ couples to seek the assistance of an experienced family law and estate planning law firm. This is especially true if you and your partner already have children and were not married when they were born. Even if you get married now, there still may be things which you will need to do to protect the unity of your family and make sure both partners have full parental rights regarding the children.
