LGBTQ Family Lawyer in Northbrook
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer couples and families in Illinois often face unique legal challenges. Silberman Law Group can help. Northbrook LGBTQ family lawyer David Silberman has more than 15 years of experience guiding same-sex couples through various family law matters, including divorce, dissolution of civil unions, adoption, and child custody.
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How Can an LGBTQ+ Family Lawyer Help Your Case?
Illinois’ same-sex marriage law took effect in 2014, yet LGBTQ+ couples and families still face unique challenges when dealing with family-related legal issues. LGBTQ divorce lawyer David Silberman has a thorough understanding of these difficulties, as well as experience developing solutions to help clients overcome them. As your attorney, David will advocate for your rights in court, helping to ensure you receive fair treatment, and working to maximize your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome to your case.
Let Northbrook LGBTQ family lawyer David Silberman help protect your rights.
Call 312.593.0075. today.
LGBTQ+ Family Law Issues in Northbrook
For the most part, the family law statutes in Illinois recognize LGBTQ families and afford them the same rights granted to heterosexual couples and families. However, protecting those rights is not always easy. Our dedicated LGBTQ+ family lawyer at Silberman Law Group provides compassionate support and focused guidance with matters, including civil unions, divorce, child custody and visitation, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
Civil Unions
Civil unions are a vital legal tool for same-sex couples seeking to recognize and protect their families. Our LGBTQ+ family lawyer has a thorough understanding of civil unions, which we will draw on to help you formalize your commitments with confidence and clarity. If you make the difficult choice to dissolve your civil union, we will provide the comprehensive support you need, working to ensure an equitable resolution to your case.
Divorce
Like any other couple, members of the LGBTQ+ community face several challenges when they divorce. From dividing your shared assets and debts, to seeking spousal support, we understand the factors that must be addressed to successfully resolve your case, and we will strive to achieve a favorable outcome on your behalf.
Child Custody and Visitation
Child custody and visitation can often be complicated and emotionally-charged issues for LGBTQ parents. We believe that protecting your child’s best interests and your rights are paramount. Our LGBTQ family lawyer is dedicated to helping you secure parental rights and establish a nurturing environment in which your child can grow and thrive. We will diligently work to create a custody arrangement that provides for your child’s needs, as well as that reflects your family dynamic.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements serve as valuable tools for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and queer couples seeking to define the financial expectations for their relationships, and protect their assets. Tailoring our approach to suit your unique circumstances, we will negotiate an agreement that aligns with your specific needs and goals to safeguard your financial future.
Adoption and Same-Sex Parents in Illinois
To legally recognize the rights and relationships of both parents in LGBTQ families, many consider adoption, including as second parents and as stepparents, as an option.
Second Parent Adoptions
Second parent adoptions provide an essential path for LGBTQ families to establish legal rights for both parents. In a second parent adoption, a non-biological parent seeks to legally adopt the child of his or her partner. LGBTQ+ family lawyer David Silberman will walk you through the process, helping you prepare for and overcome any challenges that may arise, and working to ensure your family’s rights are protected.
Stepparent Adoptions
When stepparents step into the role of full-time parent, families often want to solidify this legal bond. Through a stepparent adoption, we will help you formalize the existing parent-child relationship, striving to make the process as stress-free and seamless as possible.
Silberman Law Group Handles the Following Cases
Guiding families through some of the most difficult legal situations that life will place in their paths, the dedicated LGBTQ+ family lawyer at Silberman Law Group handles ranging cases, including those involving the following:
- Orders of Protection
- Spousal Support
- Child Custody and Visitation
- Child Support
- Post-Decree Modification and Enforcement
FAQs About LGBTQ Family Law in Illinois
The grounds for divorce for LGBTQ couples in Illinois are the same as those for heterosexual couples. As a no-fault state, you do not have to prove wrongdoing on the part of your spouse for the court to grant a divorce. Rather, you must cite irreconcilable differences as the reason, and offer proof that demonstrates previous attempts to reconcile were unsuccessful, and further attempts would not benefit the family. Generally, living separately for at least six months prior to filing for divorce meets the burden of proof of irreconcilable differences.
In Illinois, the civil unions and same-sex marriages primarily differ in their legal status. Civil unions are state-recognized partnerships available to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples. Marriage, including between same-sex couples, on the other hand, is a state- and federally-recognized legal covenant.
Same-sex couples in the United States are generally eligible for government benefits and protections that are afforded to married couples. This change came about as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Following this decision, federal benefits and protections were extended to legally married same-sex couples in the same way they are for opposite-sex couples.
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