Same-Sex Families:
an educational package
So you think you know your rights and you think you are protected?
Think again!
Although the Constitution provides a guarantee that full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records and judicial proceedings of every other state; it does not mean that every state must provide the same rights to their respective citizens. In addition many states attempt to regulate the morality thereby judging our families unfairly.
Many same-sex parents have never given their rights much attention until something happens to make them see that the right they thought they had doesn't exist.
Take a few minutes and read this information. Discuss with your partner what kind of protection you want and need to feel secure from outside intrusion into your life. Some points included in this brochure to discuss are:
- Family Education
- Estate planning
- Financial planning
- Family planning
- Types of contracts
- Types of legal protection you may need
- Power of attorney...what exactly is it???
Some Methods to achieve Legal Protections for Same-Sex families
Some specific types of legal protection that could benefit same-sex couples are as follows:
- General Powers of Attorney
- Medical Powers of Attorney
- Financial Powers of Attorney
- Autopsy and Disposition of Remains Power of Attorney
- Guardianship Papers
- May be evidence of De Facto Parenting Status
- Quick Claim Deeds with Right of Survivorship
- Nomination of Guardian of a Minor Child
- Medical Consent to Treatment
- Hospital visitation authorization
- Adoption petition
- De Facto Parenting Consent Agreement
- Joint Custody Consent Agreement
- Separation Agreement
- Power of Attorney Delegation of Parental Powers
- Cohabitation Agreement
- How to pay the bills
- How property is distributed
Education is Power!!!
So educate yourselves
- Educate yourself about how much you know about your partner
- Educate yourself about how much you know about your partner's family...discuss whether they will fight you for survivor benefits or custody of your children
- Educate yourself about what parenting methods you and your partner share and which ones you do not
- Educate yourself about the roles and responsibilities of parenting and then educate yourself about how a same-sex couple has to go about making sure they can carry out those roles and responsibilities
Identify your individual relationship needs:
- Do you rent or own a home together?
- Do you lease or own a car together?
- Do you rent or own other real property together?
- Do you share a bank account or do you have separate accounts?
- Do you share credit cards?
- Do you know your partner's social security number?
- Do you have a place that you keep important papers where both of you have access in case of an emergency?
- Could you sign for the baby to be discharged?
Contact Me for an Appointment at a Time and Place Convenient for You
To schedule an appointment, please contact me online or call 251-479-1477. I offer flexible appointment scheduling and I am willing to meet with you at your office so you do not need to miss work.
