Step Parent Adoption, Second Parent Adoption for LGBTQ families “Step parent adoption” is the term used when any person adopts the child of their spouse. This can refer to families with heterosexual parents or families with same sex couples. “Second parent adoption” is often used to refer to a situation where a child only has one parent and that parent's spouse/partner in a same sex … [Read more...] about Step Parent Adoption for Same Sex Couples in Texas
LGBT family law
November is Adoption Month!
November is adoption month. All month long, national awareness is turned towards adoption and adoptive families everywhere are remembering the events that shaped their families and made their lives complete. November 18th is National Adoption Day, a day which is "a collective, national effort to raise awareness of more than 110,000 children in foster care waiting for permanent and loving … [Read more...] about November is Adoption Month!
Lawsuits over Same-Sex Benefits – City of Houston
Legal cases currently in the news deal with questions of equal rights & protection, and State versus Federal law An important and fascinating issue is currently working its way through the court system. Here is a summary of what has happened so far: November 20, 2013: Houston Mayor Annise Parker announces that all legally married city employees are eligible to enroll their spouses for … [Read more...] about Lawsuits over Same-Sex Benefits – City of Houston
The Risks of Refinancing Your Home With Your Spouse or Partner
WARNING! Joining in the refinancing of a home previously owned by your spouse or significant other does not guarantee that you actually “own” part of the house. Signing the Promissory Note DOES mean that you are legally responsible to pay the mortgage on the property. However, it does NOT mean that the property is automatically in your name, or that if your spouse dies you will automatically … [Read more...] about The Risks of Refinancing Your Home With Your Spouse or Partner
Divorce and Downsizing in Difficult Economic Times
Divorce is difficult and emotionally taxing, even when the economy is stable. Added to the already overwhelming financial stress that some families are already experiencing, it can seem like an insurmountable burden. Divorce and business downsizing have a lot in common. In both processes the principals involved must analyze their assets and debts, strengths and weaknesses. In both … [Read more...] about Divorce and Downsizing in Difficult Economic Times