LGBTQ FAMILY LAW IN TEXAS

Since June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court ruling on the same-sex marriage matter changed the definition of marriage and legalized same-sex marriage. Now all states recognize same-sex marriages. That means Texas county clerks and divorce judges are allowed to grant same-sex marriage licenses, perform same-sex marriages, and grant same-sex divorces.

In our eyes, a family is a family. Finding out what legal documents to put in place can help you establish guidelines that serve your family’s needs.

At C.E. Borman & Associates, our attorneys stay up to date with laws and case rulings. We take a common sense approach to law and offer creative solutions to help you deal with LGBTQ issues.

• Wills and Estate Planning. You can give your partner power of attorney for your financial or medical matters and leave your estate to your partner upon your death. Documents we use for LGBT couples include basic wills, HIPPA releases, advance directives for healthcare, durable powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney and declarations of guardian both for adults and minor children.
• Cohabitation/partnership agreements. You can enter into a cohabitation agreement, which is a contract that defines agreed upon terms and conditions for cohabitation.
• Property agreements. Property agreements are contracts that define your separate and co-owned property. If you decide to end your relationship, you can use mediation or collaborative law to resolve property disputes. If necessary, we can take your property dispute to trial.
• Gestational surrogacy agreements. When you choose to conceive a child through a surrogate, we can help you draft an agreement that protects your rights to custody.
• Second-parent adoption. Single parents in a same sex couple relationship can allow their partner to become a second parent through adoption. Courts in various counties vary on what they allow, but we can work with you to determine the best way to move forward.

Same-sex marriages were recognized all around the country in 2015. If you live in Texas, you’ll need a professional to handle your divorce with all the situations that may arise.

Texas Law help:

” The divorce process should be handled no differently than opposite-sex divorces. Same-sex couples can obtain a divorce in the county where at least one of them resides.”.

It is recommended by Texas Law specialists to have a lawyer by your side: “divorces can be complicated. This is especially true if there are custody, support, or property issues. Your property, your money, and your rights as a parent may be at risk.”

No matter how overwhelming or complicated your situation may seem. We’re here to help.

Research shows that children without fathers struggle in school, have trouble adapting socially and are often unstable. In 1998, the Journal of Marriage and Family reported that children with absent fathers consistently scored lower than the norm in reading and math tests.

The opposite is also true. Children with fathers who are involved score higher academically, accomplish more, enjoy greater success in their careers and are psychologically in a better condition.

Children live with their custodial parents, whereas non-custodial parents have visitation rights. According to the 2009 U.S. Census:

• About one in six custodial parents were fathers (17.8 percent)
• The majority of custodial parents were mothers (82.2 percent)
• About 44.2 percent of custodial mothers were divorced or separated
• About 36.8 percent of the custodial mothers were never married
• About half (50.6 percent) of all custodial parents had either legal or informal child support agreements