Although Massachusetts has been at the forefront of marriage equality for many years, the Supreme Court ruled on June 26 that all states must recognize the rights of same-sex couples to get married. Marriages that were performed in other states joining same-sex...
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Same-Sex Couples & Divorce
Progress gives more equality to same-sex spouses
Massachusetts people who are part of the LGBT community have long been allowed to marry and divorce same-sex spouses. They are treated in the same manner as heterosexual couples when property is divided and in matters related to child custody. Now, even federal laws...
Considerations for same-sex spouses when contemplating adoption
It is only natural for couples in loving relationships to consider starting a family, regardless of whether they are heterosexual or same-sex couples. Adoption is one of the options available for same-sex spouses, and it is reported that many of the estimated two...
How will family law courts address transgender issues in divorce?
The much-publicized story of Olympian Bruce Jenner has sparked many questions in relation to child custody and visitation in circumstances in which a transgendered parent gets divorced. Although Bruce and Kris Jenner's two daughters are teenagers, many divorces in...
How will court ruling affect the rights of same-sex spouses?
In June of 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a law that dated back to 1996. Since DOMA was overturned, same-sex spouses in Massachusetts and 37 other states have had access to each other's federal benefits such as health insurance, Social Security benefits,...
Same-sex spouses appeal rulings for parenting time for donors
When a baby is born to a legally married lesbian or gay couple in Massachusetts, one would presume the couple to be the legal parents of the child, regardless of whether the pregnancy resulted from sperm donation, artificial insemination or surrogacy. However,...
Frozen embryos may provide same-sex spouses with their own child
While freezing embryos remain the subject of many debates about the ethics of this practice, it provides many couples with an opportunity to have a child of their own when they have not been able to otherwise. Many women who cannot conceive a child yearn for the...
Prenup agreements may protect the interests of same-sex spouses
Talking about death and divorce on the eve of a marriage would likely be unpleasant and awkward, regardless of whether it is a heterosexual or a same-sex couple. However, these matters need to be discussed in order to protect the interests of both parties and any...
What should same-sex spouses consider when starting a family?
While the legal wheels related to lesbian and gay equality are slowly turning, many same-sex couples in Massachusetts wish to start a family by ways of conception rather than adoption. In addition to adopting the child of another couple, same-sex spouses have...
Social Security benefits for same-sex divorce after 10 years
Just over a year after the U.S. Supreme Court announced the changes to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), federal benefits of same-sex couples were recently expanded. However, without extensive expansion of legislation, same-sex spouses will remain in an...