LGBT
Supreme Court Opinion (V.L. v. E.L.): the Power of A Second-Parent Adoption
For years we have been meeting with same-sex parents and recommending a second-parent adoption where one of the two parents is the biological parent and one is not. Today’s unanimous opinion from the United States Supreme Court demonstrates exactly why. In V.L. v. E.L., two women had been in a same-sex relationship from 1995 until…
Read MoreThink Second Parent Adoptions Are A Thing Of the Past? Think Again. Conover v. Conover.
Yesterday, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals released its latest opinion on third party custody rights in Conover v. Conover. This case involved a lesbian couple. One of the couple, the biological parent, was inseminated and carried the child and the other woman, the non-biological parent, held herself out as the parent to the child,…
Read MoreWhat If My Husband’s Name Is On The Ashley Madison List?
In the wake of the Ashley Madison hack, we’ve been getting a lot of inquiries about what to do with the information that your spouse may be committing adultery. McCabe RussellAt McCabe Russell, PA, we have an established reputation as assertive and confident negotiators and litigators, offering legal guidance designed to eliminate any of our…
Read MoreAfter The Supreme Court Opinion, Do My Spouse And I Still Have To Do A Second-Parent Adoption?
Are you wondering whether a second parent adoption is still necessary after the Supreme Court’s recent opinion on same-sex marriage? In short, yes it is. While Obergefell was a giant stride for same-sex folks, it is important not to conflate marriage rights with parentage rights. The same parentage issues that used to be present for…
Read MoreThe Supreme Court On Same-Sex Marriage: The Practical Impact of Obergefell v. Hodges
Today, making way for same-sex marriage, the Supreme Court decided the landmark case of Obergefell v. Hodges. The opinion gives same-sex couples the same rights as their different-sex counterparts. The issues as framed by Justice Kennedy (writing for the majority) were (1) whether the Fourteenth Amendment requires a State to issue marriage licenses to two people…
Read MoreAre Second-Parent Adoptions Still Important for Same-Sex Couples In Maryland?
In light of the ever-changing legal landscape for same-sex couples, are second-parent adoptions still important in Maryland? As of January 1, 2013, the right to marry has been extended to same-sex couples in Maryland. Pursuant to Maryland law, a child born or conceived during a marriage is presumed to be the legitimate child of both…
Read MoreSame-sex Marriage Licenses in Virginia are put on Hold after SCOTUS Issues Stay
What is the status of same-sex marriage licenses in Virginia? On August 20, 2014, the Supreme Court issued a stay on a ruling striking down Virginia’s ban on gay marriages by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. The 4th Circuit’s 2-1 decision would have paved the way for Virginia same-sex marriages to…
Read MoreMaryland Employees Who are Same-Sex Domestic Partners May Need To Marry To Continue Benefit Coverage
Do Maryland employees get coverage for same-sex benefits? The topography of same-sex marriage recognition and availability is constantly changing. Employees of the State of Maryland who receive or extend benefits to their domestic partners, may need to consider marriage in 2014 if they want to keep those benefits in place. McCabe RussellAt McCabe Russell, PA,…
Read MoreWhat is Third Party Custody in Maryland?
In Maryland what is third party custody? In the most traditionally defined family arrangement, a child has a biological mother and father. But families come in all sorts of configurations and change with circumstances. When a person not outside of the traditional, legal definition seeks custody or visitation of a child – that person is…
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