gay and lesbian family law: the rights of gays, lesbians and transgendered persons.

Families can take many forms, yet in any family the need for a good lawyer can be crucial to protecting all the rights families should enjoy. Whether that be to establish or dissolve a domestic partnership, domestic partnership agreements, durable powers of attorney, co-parent adoptions or estate planning issues, Jill M. Metz & Associates is skilled and experienced at working through the issues faced by families today. Contact us for an initial consultation.

Gay and Lesbian Family Law: the rights of gays, lesbians and transgendered persons.

Today's laws do not provide protection for lesbian, gay, or other non-legally married partners. While the protections of legal marriage are not available, Jill Metz and Associates can adapt existing laws to guarantee married-like treatment regarding catastrophic illness, property disputes, and the adoption, custody and guardianship of children. We can also ensure that your partner's rights are considered in the event of your death, and help smooth the process if you should divorce.

Domestic Partnership Registry

The City of Chicago, Oak Park and several other Illinois municipalities allow lesbian and gay couples to declare themselves domestic partners. Many employers recognize such registries for insurance purposes. Filing this document can help you and your partner get coverage.

Domestic Partnership Agreements

A domestic partnership agreement is a contract between gay and lesbian couples that creates rights and obligations about property matters. It lays out each life partner's financial obligations and contributions toward jointly and separately owned property, from mutual funds and retirement accounts to your family home.

If your partner is ill or hospitalized, it guarantees you access to your mutual home and property and protects you from those who would accuse you of theft of these assets. If you and your partner should choose to divorce, it makes the separation of your property easier.

Partnership agreements do not give you the tax status or other government benefits of a married couple. If you are interested in securing these rights, contact your state and federal representatives and get involved in the political process.

Durable Powers of Attorney

Jill Metz and Associates will create documents for you and your partner that will allow you to make vital decisions for each other in the event of serious illness. A durable power of attorney for health care ensures that you will be able to visit each other in the hospital and make health care decisions for each other if one of you is incapacitated. A durable power of attorney for property gives you access to each other's finances, lets you pay bills and write checks for each other, even sell your real estate if necessary.

Custody and Adoption

Some lesbian and gay couples want to adopt a child in need of a home. Other couples want to have one partner adopt the other partner's minor children. Jill Metz and Associates is experienced at guiding families through the complex and sometimes intrusive process. We specialize in the requirements of gay and lesbian couples working with the adoption court system.

Dissolution of Domestic Partnerships

Many attorneys don't have the experience to handle the special needs of lesbian and gay couples who separate. Jill Metz and Associates will help you handle the potential legal minefield, provide mediation, and smooth the details of this painful process.

Jill Metz and Associates uses existing contract, equity and child custody laws to help the partners divide property and arrange for the care of the children. We also represent our clients in any litigation involved. We handle these difficult issues with dignity and care.

Estate Issues for Gay and Lesbian Families

Gay and lesbian families face unique legal situations, because, unless there is a clear legal documentation of the deceased's intent, the biological family will inherit everything. Lesbians and gays have no legal rights without clear, expertly prepared documents and society's notions exclude lesbians and gays.

This unique legal nature of alternative families requires attorneys to be more careful in interviews with clients, advice provided to clients and drafting of clients estate documents. Jill M. Metz and Associates are experts at dealing with these issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Family Law Information Center

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