Many same sex couples are also parenting a child or children. Our attorneys can assist in same sex custody and visitation disputes. Although the issue of establishing parenting plans and custody arrangements for same sex partners is very new to courts nationwide, The Law Offices of Susan L. Ward consider this area of the law important new territory in which to educate the public and vigorously protect the rights of parents and children, regardless of gender or sexual preference.
If both partners have adopted the child or there is a second parent adoption granted under the law of any state, Missouri recognizes those prior judicial determinations and gives full faith and credit to that family unit. However, in most states, including Missouri, the making of a family is much easier to do judicially than the breakup of a family. Dealing with the break up of a same sex couple with a child in common is uncharted territory for many courts as to custody arrangements. Additionally, if one partner is the biological parent and there has been no adoption by the same sex partner, custody and visitation may be limited or nearly impossible to obtain for the partner having no prior legal determination of parenthood. At The Law Offices of Susan L. Ward, we handle same sex custody disputes and work diligently to educate the courts to the rights of same sex partners with children, while keeping in the forefront for our client the court's charge of determining the best interests of the minor child or children involved. Our attorneys work to advise partners in a same-sex relationship as to their options in becoming a parent by court determination while the relationship is intact in order to protect the partner, and likely the child, from heartbreak in the event the partnership ends.
If you have any questions, or if you would like to speak with an experienced St. Louis custody attorney regarding same sex partners custody and visitation, please do not hesitate to call us at 314-480-3242. If you prefer, you may complete the form on the Contact Us page of this website, and a representative from our office will be in touch with you shortly.
