In the best of circumstances, divorce is difficult. It is right near the top on the stress scale. But it doesn’t have to be a disaster. There are ways to keep the stress manageable and make the process aimiable. One of those ways is to enter into the Collaborative Divorce process. When a couple gets
The Child Parent Security Act (CPSA) which took effect on February 15, 2021 is a groundbreaking law that substantially impacts LGBTQIA family building. Queer family formation is diverse and always evolving but the law has been slow to reflect the realities of our lives and to protect our families. The CPSA sets out to correct
New York’s new Child Parent Security Act (CPSA) comes into effect in February 2021. The CPSA updates New York’s parenting law in many ways, including legalizing compensated gestational surrogacy. First, definitions: A surrogate is pregnant without the intention of being a parent, with an embryo implanted in their uterus to carry to term for intended
With the drastic changes in our day-to-day lives from the pandemic and social distancing, many families are experiencing anxiety, confusion, and exacerbation of existing conflicts. Many separated co-parents are finding themselves suddenly having to renegotiate their parenting time, work through differing risk assessments, and collaborate in new and unfamiliar ways to try to protect their
Welcome to 2020! The last decade included some groundbreaking victories for the Queer community-specifically concerning marriage equality. LGBTQ marriages are unique because many long-term relationships existed prior to marriage equality and so the inception of a committed relationship can predate the legal marriage by years and even decades. When couples say “I Do” they are
In families where there are two mothers, it is important to understand that they are both equal parents, regardless of who gave birth to the child. Of course, carrying a child for nine months is a bonding process and the woman who gives birth feels very connected to her child. However, the non-birth parent also
This week, Governor Cuomo signed into law a much needed amendment to the adoption law which makes it possible for adoptions to go forward for married couples in New York, regardless of whether the parentage is already legally recognized by NY State! This law “fixes” the issue many LGBTQ married couples were experiencing because many
We often hear about the "evil stepmother " or the militaristic overly disciplinarian stepfather or the concern that parents will be replaced. New partners, however, can make a positive impact on the family and may enhance the child's life rather than detracting.
Sweeping changes were made to the tax code effective in 2018. Contrary to tax simplification as original espoused, there are sections of the law that are quite complicated. You are advised to ask your tax preparer how this new tax law may effect your own tax return. Tax rates, tax brackets, and the standard deduction
LGBTQ folks have always differed on when to celebrate their anniversary. That is because our relationships have not been sanctioned. Some people date their anniversary to their first date. Others celebrate on the date they first slept together. And now with marriage equality, some people can "officially" celebrate the date of their marriage. But when