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
same sex couples
Estate Planning for Same Sex Couples
The legal recognition of marriage equality that has occurred in the past few years has given peace and security to many couples. It is still very important, as a couple, to have an estate plan that is up-to-date. If you and your spouse had an estate plan created prior to the time that you had the option to have a legally recognized union, and you have now become married, you should review your … [Read more...] about Estate Planning for Same Sex Couples
Decisions to Make About Your Will and Estate Plan
If you are making a will for the first time (or updating one for the first time in a long time), this handy list will help guide you. No matter how small or large your estate, the answers to these questions are important. Who will be the ultimate beneficiary of most or all of your estate? What if the person(s) in item #1 dies before you do? Who will get their portion? What "special … [Read more...] about Decisions to Make About Your Will and Estate Plan
Legal Protections of Marriage Not Readily Available for Some Couples in Texas (Part II of II)
In last week's blog, we discussed the difficulties that are faced by some couples who are in a marriage relationship but did not have a legally recognized ceremonial marriage. That blog discussed "common law" marriage in Texas. The blog also detailed some situations in which the partners may not even know for certain whether or not they are "common law married". This blog will discuss another … [Read more...] about Legal Protections of Marriage Not Readily Available for Some Couples in Texas (Part II of II)
Texas Supreme Court to Hear Cases About Same-Sex Divorce
On November 5, 2013, the Texas Supreme Court will hear oral argument about whether Texas can grant divorces for same-sex couples. Since Texas law currently does not allow any action that "legitimizes" same-sex marriage, the Texas Attorney General argues that granting a same-sex divorce is an action that recognizes same-sex marriage that occurred in another state. The two couples who are … [Read more...] about Texas Supreme Court to Hear Cases About Same-Sex Divorce
Why it is so important to have a legally valid Donor Contract or Gestational Agreement
Family law is a complicated area of law, even when the subject is a nuclear family in which the two people involved are both biological parents of the children in the family. However, even more complications can arise when venturing into areas of law that are different from what most people in our society have come to think of as “the traditional family”. Specifically I am speaking of situations … [Read more...] about Why it is so important to have a legally valid Donor Contract or Gestational Agreement
