LGBTQ couples in Washington have a few additional legal issues to consider when dealing with family law matters or divorce. As an experienced and knowledgeable firm, the LGBTQ family lawyers at Cohen Family Law, LLC can help you understand the legal landscape and the options available to protect yourself and your family. For more information and to speak about the representation we can provide, schedule a free consultation by calling (360) 953-5000 or sending us a message online today.
Our LGBTQ family lawyers understand the unique considerations for LGBTQ-identified individuals or couples who may be seeking child custody, adoption, divorce, and more.
Same-sex couples with children often have to live with the unfortunate legal problem where one partner is the biological parent, and the other does not have legal parenting rights. Although same-sex child custody cases should be treated exactly the same as others under the law, the non-biological parent may struggle to secure equal custody rights if the couple were to separate. An attorney can serve as an advocate and help you overcome these challenges to protect your parent-child relationship.
Many same-sex couples and LGBTQ-identified individuals are hesitant to adopt as the path has historically been strewn with hurdles. Fortunately, Washington is welcoming to same-sex parents, but other states are not. An experienced LGBTQ family attorney can help with stepparent adoptions of a spouse’s biological child, stepparent adoptions of a registered domestic partner’s child, agency and independent adoptions, termination of birth parents rights’, and adoption finalization.
A prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can provide protection to both partners and an understanding of how divorce or other conditions should be handled.
Same-sex couples have the same legal rights as any other couple during a divorce. If you and your partner are considering dissolving your relationship, an LGBTQ family attorney can help you understand your legal options, prioritize your goals, and develop a strategy to achieve them.
The legal process for divorce is the same in Washington State for LGBTQ couples. Those who wish to dissolve a marriage in Washington must meet the state’s residency requirements, which means one spouse must live or be stationed in the state. In most cases, the courts will treat a same-sex divorce the same as what was once considered a “traditional” divorce. Therefore, the division of property, award of spousal support or child support, and child custody rules apply. And, like other marriages, same-sex couples seeking a divorce or separation must speak to an attorney to protect their interests.
If you are considering a divorce or need an LGBTQ family lawyer, contact Cohen Family Law, LLC. We will answer your questions and recommend an effective course of action. Call (360) 953-5000 or use our online contact form today.
