June is Pride Month, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Pride protest in the UK, which took place in London with more than 1,000 people in attendance. The London rally followed similar protests in New York, where the infamous Stonewall riots happened in 1969, and in San Francisco where Harvey Milk led the Gay Liberation Front march in 1970.
We are often asked if we represent LGBTQ+ clients and the answer is YES! – the LSL Family Law team is here to help every family.
Historically LGBTQ+ clients experienced discrimination and unfair treatment under the law. Thankfully, this started to change in the early 2000s. Major changes have taken place with the passing of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 and the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.
Same-sex couples sometimes require assistance with specific family law issues, particularly in relation to child matters. LSL Family Law’s Linda Lamb and Tanya Foster have a wealth of experience and can offer you advice and representation in the following areas of law:
- Family Mediation
- Pre-Nuptial or Pre-Civil Partnership Agreements
- Cohabitation Agreements
- Child Arrangements
- Divorce or Dissolution
- Financial Settlements
Case Study:
A same sex couple wanted to dissolve their civil partnership. They needed to sort out their finances and the arrangements for their child. One was a high-flying career woman; the other was the main carer.
The couple agreed to attend mediation to talk through key issues rather than go to court. The priority for both parties was the welfare of their child. As their mediator, one of my roles was to balance the difference of power between the career woman and the main carer, who felt nervous and disempowered. I made sure that the main carer was always fully up to speed with everything we discussed and we avoided the use of legal jargon.
The civil partnership was dissolved by agreement. Arrangements for the child to see both parents were put in place, with a provision for regular reviews. The joint property was sold, leaving both parents with sufficient funds to buy separate homes where their child can live or visit. The parent with the main care role is being financially supported until their child is older and she is able to resume full time work.
Linda Lamb, director of LSL Family Law.
If you have a family law matter you would like to discuss, please call Linda or Tanya for confidential advice on 01273 041011.
Useful links:
The Resolution and Family Mediation Council websites contain a host of useful information. The following government web pages may also be of interest: Get a divorce or End a civil partnership and Making child arrangements.
