Same Sex, Different Stress The Legal Labyrinths of LGBTQ+ Divorce
It has been 10 years since non-heterosexual marriage gained legal recognition in all 50 states, and the number of these marriages continues to grow. In the first five years of these legally sanctioned unions alone, more than 250,000 LGBTQ+ couples nationwide made their partnerships official. Unfortunately, the realities of life don’t always translate to long-lasting love, and not all of these marriages have endured. While divorces of any kind typically involve some level of negotiations concerning spousal support and the division of marital assets, separations between LGBTQ+ couples often have unique circumstances to consider. CUSTODY CHALLENGES Parenthood often goes hand-in-hand with marriage, but the legalities surrounding parental rights in LGBTQ+ divorces can differ from those in heterosexual unions. Custody decisions may be complicated by issues more common among same-sex partnerships,
including surrogacy agreements, adoption, and non-biological parentage. Sometimes, one spouse may not have legal parental rights despite developing a particularly strong emotional bond with the child or children in the household. Regardless of the parental arrangements made before the decision to divorce, an experienced attorney can help advocate for and defend your parental role. CIVIL UNION CONFUSION Of course, legal LGBTQ+ unions existed well before marriage became an option across the U.S. in 2015. Couples may have entered into a domestic partnership or civil union before officially walking down the aisle. Unfortunately, these past arrangements can add layers of conflict and confusion when it comes time to dissolve a marriage. For example, do the couple’s assets date back to their initial civil union/domestic partnership, or should they only be considered from the time they were legally married? This is one
of many questions unique to marriages preceded by alternative arrangements. Our firm is committed to representing all clients fairly in pursuit of what they’re entitled to in a divorce. Contact us today at (312) 488-1938 to discuss the specific laws and options relevant to LGBTQ+ cases.
TAKE A BREAK
Roast Pork With Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients • 3 tbsp brown sugar • 1 tsp dried sage
• 1 red onion, sliced • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided • Pinch of cayenne pepper • 1 cup chicken broth • 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
• 2 cloves garlic, minced • Salt and black pepper • 1 1/2 lbs pork tenderloin • 1 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Directions 1.
Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, sage, garlic, salt, and black pepper, then rub mixture on pork. 3. On a baking sheet, toss sweet potatoes and red onion with 1 tbsp olive oil, cayenne, and salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes then set aside. 4. In a skillet over medium-high heat, add remaining olive oil. When hot, add pork and sear for 5 minutes. Transfer to baking sheet with vegetables and bake for 11–13 minutes, or until pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 F. 5. Add broth to skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in Dijon, chives, and black pepper. Slice pork, drizzle with the pan sauce, and serve with sweet potatoes.
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