Butler, Thiessen & Metzinger, Inc., is a law firm dedicated to helping people address family law problems in an effective way. For more than 30 years, we have been providing results-oriented representation to people from all walks of life. We are sensitive to the needs of same-sex couples and LGBTQ+ individuals in the Stockton area, and work hard to help our clients achieve their goals.
If you are a gay, lesbian or transgender person in need of family law services or representation, we can help. Call us today at 209-390-8829 to schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers.
Is Your Relationship Coming To An End?
Our firm has extensive experience representing people in divorces and dissolution of domestic partnerships. We work to achieve results for our clients in an efficient way, so that they can move forward in their lives.
In many cases, we use negotiation and alternative methods such as mediation or collaborative law. These techniques can serve to reduce the stress of a breakup while keeping legal costs reasonable. However, we are resolute in the protection of our clients’ rights. If a serious dispute exists over child custody, property division or another matter that cannot be resolved through these methods, we will vigorously represent you in litigation.
Establishing And Protecting Parental Rights In LGBTQ+ Families
For same-sex couples and LGBTQ+ parents, establishing legal parentage is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family. California offers several paths depending on your situation, and choosing the right one matters. Common scenarios we have guided clients through include:
- Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (VDOP) for unmarried couples, including its limitations
- Parentage judgments and second-parent adoptions for families formed through assisted reproduction, IVF or donor arrangements
- Known donor situations, where legal agreements and court orders need to be in place from the start
- Cases where only one parent appears on the birth certificate, leaving the other parent’s rights vulnerable in a separation or dispute
- Nonbiological parent rights in LGBTQ+ divorces, where custody is often the most contested issue
We help LGBTQ+ families think through these questions carefully before problems arise.
How Domestic Partnership Dissolution Differs From Divorce In California
Ending a registered domestic partnership follows its own rules, and they do not always mirror what applies in a divorce. Key differences to understand include:
- Summary dissolution may be available if your partnership was short, assets are limited and you have no children together.
- Domestic partnership dissolution can be filed in California regardless of where you currently live, while divorce requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six months.
- Property division and support rules largely mirror those in a marriage, but the specifics of your situation still matter.
We help clients understand their rights and obligations before taking any steps toward dissolution.
When You Are Both Married And Registered Domestic Partners
Some LGBTQ+ couples registered as California domestic partners before marriage equality became the law and later married without dissolving their partnership first. If this applies to you, filing for divorce alone may not fully end your legal relationship. Both the marriage and the domestic partnership may require separate dissolution proceedings to sever all legal ties. Leaving one unresolved can carry consequences for property rights, support obligations and other legal matters long after you believe everything is settled.
This situation is more common than most people realize and more legally complex than a standard divorce. We work with clients to identify whether both statuses apply to their situation and guide them through the process of properly addressing each one.
Learn How We Can Help You
For an informative and confidential consultation about a same-sex family law matter in California, contact us by calling 209-390-8829.