Same-sex couples thinking about divorce may worry about a different track they may have to follow. Luckily, under the law, there is no difference in same-sex and opposite-sex divorce. However, due to the nature of the law and the relative newness of same-sex marriage, gay and heterosexual couples, in practice, may have a different experience. Stigmatization For heterosexual couples, in…
The 1963 Michigan Constitution provides for a general guarantee of equal protection of the law in Article 1, sec. 2 which states: “No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws; nor shall any person be denied the enjoyment of his civil or political rights or be discriminated against in the exercise thereof because of religion, race, color…
After the gnashing of teeth has come to an end (or has at least died down), there are some serious matters that must be considered. One of these matters is pursuing that second parent adoption. For those who have not yet started the second parent adoption process – NOW IS THE TIME. It has remained my sincere hope that the…
Today the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of marriage equality. In making its decision, the Court used a four prong analysis in deciding this matter. 1. The first premise is that the right of personal choice regarding marriage is inherent in the concept of individual autonomy. The Court stated that “there is dignity in the bond…
Heterosexual couples have the full weight of the law behind them when family law issues like divorce, adoption and child custody arise. Michigan is still divided on the issue of same-sex marriage, which is leaving some state residents at risk. The American Civil Liberties Union has finally stepped in and is taking up the cause to prevent further discrimination against…
On March 21, 2014, District Judge Bernard Friedman issued a historic ruling making Michigan the 18th state in the nation to allow gays and lesbians to join in matrimony. As stated in Deboer v. Snyder, Case No. 12-CV-10285, ” Article I, section 25 of the Michigan Constitution and its implementing statutes are unconstitutional because they violate the Equal Protection Clause…
Michigan law currently does not recognize marriage between two individuals of the same sex, but it does not restrict such couples from successfully adopting and raising a child. This can make it frustrating and difficult for gay couples who want to start families in the state, as Michigan only grants certain parental rights to one of the parents. Some same-sex…