Marriage Equality Questions in Family Law

Flags have been getting a lot of attention recently. There is the American flag, in anticipation of the Fourth of July, and the Confederate flag, which has again become a topic of public debate; yet none have received quite as much attention as the rainbow flag, which proudly hung from homes and businesses across America last Friday after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that gays could marry in all 50 states.

While marriage licenses have been issued to gay couples in Bucks County since last May, that didn’t stop Bucks residents from celebrating. Rainbow flags lined Main Street in New Hope (the same ones that flew just a month prior, during the town’s annual Pride Parade) and rainbow lights could be seen glistening on the backdrop of the Bucks County Playhouse.

Although the Court answered the ultimate question of marriage equality, there are now many more questions to be asked. For example, is a civil union between same-sex partners now automatically considered a marriage? Can a same-sex spouse wishing to adopt their husband or wife’s child now file for a stepparent adoption, rather than a second parent adoption?

Our office is working to answer these questions. In fact, we are currently working on a case of first impression involving same-sex stepparent adoption, meaning that this is the first time a case involving this issue has been heard in Bucks County.

If you’re considering same sex marriage, divorce, adoption, or other family law actions, we’re sure you have some questions of your own as well. Let our office help you find the answers.

By Juliette