In Maryland and the District of Columbia, the same divorce laws apply to LGBT+ married couples as to opposite-sex married couples. Maryland recently updated its divorce laws to become a true no-fault divorce State. Those new rules will apply equally to same-sex married couples as to everyone else. In this article, the experienced family law… Continue reading FAQs About LGBT+ Divorce in Maryland and D.C.
Even though more and more states are choosing to ban and/or limit gender-affirming care, a variety of states are choosing to move in the opposite direction. One of these states is, of course, Maryland. And, right outside of the Maryland area, there is Washington, D.C., which has also made the choice to protect trans youth’s… Continue reading What Laws Protect Trans Youth’s Access To Gender-Affirming Care In Maryland And Washington D.C.?
In the news, California lawmakers are advancing legislation that would officially add gender affirmation to the list of factors to be considered by California divorce court judges when considering child custody and visitation arrangements. Read on as the Maryland and D.C. family law attorneys at The Law Offices of Thomas Stahl explain more. The bill… Continue reading Maryland/D.C. Child Custody: Should Gender Affirmation Be Officially Considered As Part of the “Best Interests” of the Child?
According to recent studies of enacted and pending state legislation and executive orders and policies, 20 states have either put bans or limits on gender-affirming medical care for youths under the age of 18. According to the same report, another seven states are considering such legislation. If passed, that would total more than half of the states… Continue reading Restraints on Gender-Affirming Medical Care, Relocating, and Child Custody Legal Issues
In recent years, custody battles involving transgender youth have become increasingly prevalent in family courts across the United States. Maryland, known for its progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights, is no exception. This article explores the complexities of trans youth custody cases in Maryland, examining the legal frameworks, ethical considerations, and the impact on families involved.… Continue reading Trans Youth Custody in Maryland: Navigating Legal and Ethical Challenges
On December 13, 2022, the Respect For Marriage Act was signed at a White House ceremony attended by thousands of jubilant supporters. See CNN news media report here and CNBC report here. Legislative efforts to pass the Respect For Marriage Act (“RFMA”) have been ongoing since at least 2011. After more than a decade of… Continue reading Respect for Marriage Act : What Maryland and DC Gay and Lesbian Married Couples Need To Know
One complicating factor for same-sex parents with children seeking a divorce in Maryland or in the District of Columbia is the fact that only one parent is considered a biological parent. For this article, we will discuss visitation rights, assume that the children were not adopted and also assume that the Maryland divorce court or… Continue reading Maryland and DC LBGT Divorce: Third Party Visitation Rights
There was an interesting case decided recently here in Maryland called S.O. v. H.M., Case No. 546, September Term 2021 (Court of Special Appeals of Maryland, May 3, 2022) (unpublished). One legal question in that case was: when did the couple’s marriage begin? The case involved a religious ceremony, but the legal principles should certainly… Continue reading Maryland/DC Same-Sex Couples Alimony: How Long Have You Been Married?
With same-sex divorces, if there are children involved, issues of child custody, visitation and support will be complicated. This is not unique to same-sex marriages and divorce. In this article, we will focus narrowly on the question of child support (as distinct from custody and visitation) where one spouse is not biologically related to the… Continue reading Same-Sex Divorces: Can I Be Ordered To Pay Child Support If I Am Not The Biological or Adoptive Parent?
Adultery has long been an important potential issue for divorces. Indeed, at one time, adultery was the most salient ground that permitted a couple to dissolve their marriage. This remains true today. For example, under Maryland divorce laws, adultery is still a “for-fault” ground for seeking an absolute divorce. See Md. Code, Family Law, §… Continue reading Maryland/DC Divorces: Same Sex Couples and Adultery
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