Arlington County Family Law Firm Represents LGBT Families
Virginia LGBT Family Law Attorneys Understand the Issues Same-Sex Couples Face
Family law is a broad area of practice, encompassing marriage, divorce, child custody and visitation, adoption, paternity, and other matters related to the family structure. Family laws also address complex (and often controversial) issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, and same-sex marriage.
Same-Sex Marriage in Virginia
In October 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court effectively allowed same-sex marriage in Virginia when it refused to take up a 4th Circuit of Appeals ruling that overturned the previous ban in the commonwealth. Further, in June 2015, same-sex marriage was ruled constitutional in all 50 states.
When Executive Order #30 was signed by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, Virginia immediately recognized the marriages of same-sex couples who had already married in other states, and the appeals court issued a mandate to remove the final barrier to same-sex marriage in Virginia. Same-sex couples were given the full array of benefits as married couples, which include the ability to:
- Adopt children
- Obtain federal benefits through programs aimed at veterans, elderly, and disabled Americans
- File joint income tax returns
- Visit each other in the hospital as family members
- Make medical decisions for each other if one becomes incapacitated
- Transfer an inheritance
Although same-sex married couples are now afforded the same legal rights as opposite-sex married couples in Virginia, it is prudent for any person to execute an advance health care directive or living will, as well as have an up-to-date last will and testament — regardless of marital status or sexual orientation. A family law attorney can assist you with getting this paperwork prepared in a proper manner.
Contact Our Arlington County LGBT Family Law Attorneys Today
If you have questions and concerns about your rights under LGBT family law in Arlington County, the Law Offices of Claudia Zucker competent representation to all families throughout Virginia. Contact us online or call (703) 596-1005 to set up your initial consultation with one of our family law attorneys today.
