Since June 2015, same-sex marriage has been legal throughout the United States. In Illinois, the same rights were granted to LGBT couples in June 2014. Before that, same-sex couples could establish civil unions and domestic partnerships. Throughout the evolution of same-sex marriage laws in Illinois, Schaffer Family Law, Ltd., has been there for LGBT couples in Naperville and throughout the Chicago area.
We can provide you with guidance and advocacy regarding divorce, property division, Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (known as Child Custody before January 1, 2016), child support, spousal maintenance and other family law issues.
Whether you have been legally married or are bound by a domestic partnership or civil union, we can provide you with the experienced family law representation you need.
We handle agency, domestic and International adoptions for same-sex couples and can advise you on complex issues such as surrogacy, sperm and egg donation and other matters that often add complexity to same-sex adoptions.
If one partner in a same-sex couple is the biological parent, it is important for the other to obtain legal parenthood through adoption. If something happens to the biological parent, the child will not automatically have rights to health insurance, inheritance and other benefits through the nonbiological parent unless the child is adopted.
Whether you were married in Illinois or another state, we can address all of your family law concerns. To schedule an initial consultation with a highly qualified lawyer, please contact us today online or by telephone at 630-922-4500.