Manhattan Gay & LGBT Family Law Attorneys

Manhattan Gay & LGBT Family Law Attorneys

While we’ve come a long way in regard to civil rights, there is still much work to do to improve the laws and protections for LGBTQ families. If you are part of an LGBTQ family and you’re experiencing legal issues, you want a family lawyer who specializes in LGBTQ family law.

Legal issues you may want assistance with may include:

• Adoption
• Surrogacy
• Custody agreements
• Child support
• Divorce
• Spousal support / maintenance award

Why Gay & LGBT Family Law is Complex

You may be wondering if family law is more complex for the LGBTQ community. The frustrating but true answer is it depends. For married gay or lesbian couples, issues like divorce and custody agreements are not necessarily more complex than those a male-female couple would experience. But for matters like adoption, LGBTQ couples may experience difficult legal battles as many adoption agencies are faith-based, and some religions oppose LGBTQ rights. Another issue is where an LGBTQ family lives. States have different laws that define parents and if your family is spread out, your case could become complicated.

There are laws to protect you and your family

For LGBTQ families in Manhattan, New York provides many laws that protect same-sex couples, unmarried or married, when it comes to your family, your safety and your rights.

Laws to help build your LGBTQ family

Growing your family is an exciting process. And you have many options to start a family that are protected under the law, including:

• Using assisted reproductive technology
• Adopting a child
• Hiring a surrogate
• Fostering a child

For example, if you choose to adopt or foster a child, Social Services is not permitted to discriminate against a couple, regardless of sexual orientation or marital status.

Protection of LGBTQ children

If you child is gay, lesbian or transgender, they are also provided with protection under the law. The Dignity Actensures a “safe and supportive” learning environment for LGBTQ kids.

Child support and custody agreements

Decisions on how much child support will be paid or how a custody agreement works are made on a factual basis. For child support, a judge will consider the income of both parties and the cost of supporting your child. For custody agreements, a judge will consider the child’s relationship with each parent and the care the child will receive from each parent, among other things.

Spousal support or maintenance awards

If you are going through a divorce and petitioning for spousal support (also known as a “maintenance award”), the court will consider many factors, including:

• Income of both parties
• How each party will support themselves post-divorce
• If a spouse doesn’t work, the likelihood of the spouse becoming employed

Spousal support is separate from child support, and the length of a spousal support agreement can vary.

Transgender issues

If you need help legally changing your gender, fighting for legal rights to transition, or protecting yourself and your family from discrimination, an LGBTQ family law lawyer can help.

You don’t have to do it alone.

LGBTQ family law lawyers are advocates for your cause. An LGBTQ family law lawyer’s job is to protect his or her client’s best interests and to do so to the fullest extent of the law. You don’t have to worry about what your rights are and how you can defend them, your LGBTQ will do it for you.