LGBTQIA+ persons face a range of legal issues that others may never have to experience or even imagine. If you are LGBTQIA, it is important that you retain a lawyer who has specific experience in this area. Many Jess Law attorneys and staff are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and we will represent you and your family like we would our own. We understand and care about protecting your rights and your family, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
In 2015, the Obergefell v. Hodges decision brought marriage equality to Utah. Now, while a same-sex marriages end the same way any other marriage does, there are still some unique challenges that can arise for same-sex or gender-nonconforming couples. For example, many spouses have lived together for years, even decades, prior to marriage. This can raise issues of common law marriage and can greatly complicate the distribution of assets. Additionally, there are sometimes challenges regarding custody and parent time of children that can arise during a divorce of a same sex couple.
Depending on how and when they were done, surrogacy, adoption, and donor agreements can sometimes complicate child custody disputes when pursuing divorce. Having a knowledgeable attorney can make all the difference in these situations. Jess Couser Family Law attorneys practice in all of these areas, and therefore we understand how to navigate unique legal issues affecting your family.
Finally, one of the many things that parents may encounter during the child-raising process is the expression of the child’s gender or sexual identity. This may occur when they are young or not until they are teens; either way, it often causes serious disputes among parents. These disputes are difficult enough to handle among married couples, but they may be highly combative among divorced parents. The same is true when a spouse comes out as LGBTQIA+. Many divorces are a result of one spouse coming to terms with their own gender or sexual orientation later in life. These situations add a layer of complexity that not all attorneys understand. Whether you are LGBTQIA+, or you are the spouse or parent of someone who is LGBTQIA+, we are one of few law firms in Utah who offer knowledgeable, competent, and compassionate legal representation to and within the LGBTQIA+ community.