Glen Burnie Same-Sex Family & Marriage Lawyer

Glen Burnie Same-Sex Family & Marriage Attorney

Between 2012 and 2013, momentous legal changes have occurred for gay and lesbian couples. In particular, the state of Maryland has determined that legal equality and marriage is appropriate for same-sex couples.

At the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, we have stayed on top of cutting-edge legislation through these past few years. Our Glen Burnie same-sex family & marriage lawyers are available to provide knowledgeable and cost-effective legal counsel and representation in:

• Issues for non-married couples who are separating or wish to legally protect their rights
• Issues for married couples, including divorce and child custody
• Premarital and domestic partnership agreements, which are as important for LGBT couples as they are for straight couples
• Adoption, to ensure you have legal rights regarding your partner’s child or children

Marital Equality for Same-Sex Couples in Maryland

On March 1, 2012, Maryland governor Martin O’Malley signed the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which allowed same-sex couples to receive civil marriage licenses. The governor’s action was confirmed by the general public on November 6, 2012, when voters approved Question 6 on the ballot. This gave Maryland the distinction of being one of the first states to promote same-sex marriage by popular vote.

On January 1, 2013, the new law will go into effect, making same-sex marriage legal throughout Maryland. Nobody can quite predict the full ramifications of this new law on the gay and lesbian community, or how legal precedent will change. One thing is certain: Questions and concerns will continue to arise as the courts begin to deal with same-sex marriage for the first time. This is why it is critical to have a skilled family law lawyer like Mr. Mohink on your side.

Glen Burnie Same-Sex Marriage Lawyer

If you are a same-sex couple planning to get married in Maryland, or if you were already married in another state and moved here, you likely have questions about your legal rights and options under Maryland’s new marriage amendment. This law goes into effect on January 1, 2013, and is intended to grant gay and lesbian couples the same official status as heterosexual married couples.

Addressing Your Concerns About Children, Finances and the Future

The Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, has offices in Glen Burnie and Columbia. Our same-sex marriage attorneys are here to help you navigate the new changes to state law and make sure your rights are protected. We handle the full spectrum of family law issues for same-sex married couples, including:

• Premarital agreements: Making sure your rights and responsibilities are clearly spelled out, should the relationship come to an end
• Divorce: Dissolving the marriage through mediation, collaboration or litigation, depending on your needs
• Child custody and support: Determining with whom a child should live and how much child support the other party should pay after divorce
• Property division: Protecting your share of joint bank accounts, retirement accounts, real estate and other assets

Guiding You Through Uncharted Legal Waters

Although same-sex couples hope that their marriages will be treated with the same legal consideration as those of opposite-sex couples, the fact is that it is extremely difficult to predict precisely how Maryland’s new law will play out.

Because all law is based on precedent — and this is unprecedented territory — having the counsel and guidance of a highly skilled family law lawyer has never been more important. For instance, resolving same-sex custody disputes or characterizing retirement accounts as marital or non-marital property is challenging enough without adding the further complexity of a brand new law.

Same-Sex Issues for Non-Married Couples

At the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive legal services to both individuals and families. Our lawyers also handle same-sex issues for non-married couples in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and throughout the state.

Providing Knowledgeable Answers to Difficult Legal Questions

With more than 20 years of experience, our founding lawyer, Todd K. Mohink, is an excellent resource to guide you through the complexities of ever-evolving domestic law. In particular, he is available to provide answers to the difficult questions you may have about your rights in a same-sex relationship if you and your partner are not married. Such questions may include:

• I’m in a domestic partnership, but the relationship is not working out. What property division rights do I have if we separate?
• My partner adopted a child several years ago, and I have played an active role in helping raise her. Now that my partner and I are splitting up, do I have the right to continue to see the child?
• For the past 20 years, I’ve always been the one working while my partner stayed at home. Can he claim any part of my retirement benefits, even though we aren’t legally married?

Protecting the Legal Rights of Domestic Partners

Our Maryland law firm works hard to help clients protect their legal rights, regardless of whether they are married or not. If you are in a domestic partnership, there are a variety of legal tools available to guard your interests and meet your needs. These tools may include:

• Domestic partnership agreements, which can establish property rights between unmarried couples
• Parenting plan agreements, which detail child custody and support arrangements
• Advance medical directives, which can appoint your partner as your health care agent should you become incapacitated
• Durable power of attorney, which allows your partner to make financial decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so

Free Consultation With Our Glen Burnie Same-Sex Marriage Lawyers

For your convenience, the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, accepts credit cards for payment. To schedule a free initial consultation at either our Glen Burnie location or our Columbia office, call us today at 410-766-0113 . You can use that number to reach us 24/7 through our answering service. If you prefer, you can complete our contact form.