A Legal Guide for Lesbian and Gay Couples

by Curry, Hayden; Clifford, Denis; Hertz, Frederick

• ISBN13: 9780873377904
• ISBN10: 0873377907
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-03-01
• Publisher: Nolo

Table of Contents

About the Authors
Introduction
Lesbians, Gay Men and ``The law''	2	(4)
Some Words About Words	6	(1)
Using the Forms in This Book	6	(1)
Icons Used in This Book	7
Creating Family: Marriage, Domestic Partners and More
Same-Sex Marriage	2	(5)
Domestic Partnerships	7	(2)
Other Gains for Gay and Lesbian Families	9	(1)
Adult Adoption-Another Way to Cement a Relationship	10	(1)
The Sad Side of ``Marriage''	11
Living Together and the Real World
Can I Take My Lover's Last Name	3	(1)
Renting an Apartment or House Together	4	(6)
Will I Lose My Public Benefits If My Lover Moves in With Me?	10	(1)
Cash and Credit	11	(5)
Insurance	16	(3)
Can My Foreign Lover Come Visit or Live With Me?	19
I'm Mom, She's Mommy (Or I'm Dad, He's Papa)
Becoming a Legal Parent	3	(2)
Protections for ``Unrecognized'' Co-Parents	5	(6)
Having Your Own Child	11	(10)
Adopting a Child	21	(4)
Foster Parenting a Child	25	(2)
Becoming a Guardian of a Child	27	(3)
Arrangements Between a Teenager and the Adults Who'll Care for the Teen	30
Medical and Financial Matters: Delegating Authority
Healthcare Decisions	4	(5)
Physician-Assisted Suicide	9	(1)
Burial and Body Disposition	10	(1)
Estate Planning Note	11	(1)
Durable Power of Attorney for Finances	12
Looking Ahead: Estate Planning
Reflections on the Death of a Mate	3	(1)
Death and Living Together Contracts	4	(1)
Wills	4	(13)
Estate Planning Beyond a Will	17
Living Together Contracts for Lesbian and Gay Couples
Living Together Contracts Are Legal	2	(2)
When You Need a Living Together Contract	4	(1)
What to Include in a living Together Contract	4	(3)
Sample Living Together Contracts	7	(16)
Modifying Your Agreement	23
Buying a Home Together (and Other Real Estate Ventures)
Finding a House	3	(2)
How Much House Can You Afford?	5	(4)
Proceeding With Your Purchase	9	(3)
Taking Title to Your New Home	12	(1)
Contracts for People Buying or Owning Homes Together	13
Heterosexual Marriages: The Aftermath
A Good Divorce-As Precious As a Good Marriage	2	(5)
Child custody	7	(6)
Visitation of Children	13	(1)
Child Support	13	(2)
After the Divorce	15
Going Separate Ways
Rules of the Game-Married and Unmarried	2	(3)
Stages of Separation	5	(8)
Particular Solutions for Particular Problems	13	(7)
A Few Final Words	20
Help Beyond the Book
Hiring a Lawyer	2	(2)
Doing Your Own Research	4	(2)
Lesbian, Gay and AIDS-Related Legal Referrals	6
Index