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LGBTQ+ Family

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Dedicated LGBTQ+ Family Law Attorney Helps Clients Navigate Complex Issues in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area


LGBTQ+ family law has been one of the most complex areas of family law over the years. Until recently, the rights of LGBTQ+ couples and individuals to form and build families were often murky, constantly changing and varied by state. While same-sex couples throughout the country have had the right to get married, start families, and adopt children, protecting and advocating for the rights and interests of LGBTQ+ individuals in family law matters still requires a great deal of expertise and attention to detail. If you need an LGBTQ+ family law attorney, turn to seasoned attorney Michele Zavos for help.


For nearly four decades, Michele has been representing members of the LGBTQ+ community in family law matters. Her clients have included LGBTQ+ individuals, same-sex couples and poly families, having helped individuals and families with all kinds of family law matters.

Michele has been a pioneer in advancing the legal rights and options of LGBTQ+ families, even long before the legalization of same-sex marriage, working tirelessly to ensure that LGBTQ+ families have had the same critical family law rights as other families. Having started and raised an LGBTQ+ family of her own, she understands the needs, concerns, and goals that her clients have. At Michele Zavos Law, we believe in working with real people and families who have real questions and problems, doing whatever it takes to figure out how the law can help them and their families.


Contact Attorney Michele Zavos to discuss your legal rights and options and to learn more about how an experienced family lawyer can assist you when you find yourself facing a family law matter in Washington, D.C. or the surrounding areas of Maryland.


Michele Zavos Can Help You!


Attorney Michele Zavos has decades of experience representing same-sex couples and LGBTQ+ individuals with all kinds of family law matters.

Turn to Michele Zavos Law if you or your family need legal assistance with matters such as:


  • Same-sex adoptions
  • Surrogacy
  • Second parent adoptions
  • Step-parent adoptions
  • International adoptions/re-adoption
  • Direct placement, agency, and foster care adoptions
  • Child custody and support
  • Probate for LGBTQ+ and poly families
   “one thing that I admire about
michele is that she is actively
engaged in the changing and
creating of family laws and not
just practicing law. ”
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Why Turn to Michele Zavos?


Although same-sex couples have been able to get married across the U.S. for several years now, and in many jurisdictions such as the District of Columbia and Maryland for years before that, LGBTQ+ family law remains a still-developing area of law. While marriage and family laws are intended to work the same way for both same-sex and heterosexual couples, many same-sex couples have unique circumstances in their family that can make legal issues and disputes more complex.


Attorney Michele Zavos has been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ family law issues for over 30 years, having represented same-sex couples and advocating for legal changes to protect and advance the rights of LGBTQ+ couples and individuals.

Turn to Michele if you need help with:


  • Adopting a child or children together with your partner or spouse
  • Building and growing your family through surrogacy and egg/sperm or embryo donations
  • Engaging in estate planning to ensure your partner/spouse and your family understand your wishes and are taken care of, including helping you to draft estate planning documents such as wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, retitling assets in joint tenancies or tenancies by the entirety, medical proxies, and powers of attorney
  • Securing your parental rights when you have been involved in helping to raise your partner’s/spouse’s biological or adopted children
  • Understanding your legal rights and options if you and your partner separate or seek a divorce

faq

Do I have child custody rights or child support obligations if I did not formally adopt my spouse’s children?
Possibly yes. Even if you never completed a formal adoption of your spouse’s children during your marriage or civil union, you may still be entitled to remain a part of the lives of children whom you have come to think of as your own. Both the District of Columbia and Maryland recognize the concept of a de facto parent, which is someone who is or has recently been a caretaker of a minor child in the role of a parent. In addition, someone who is designated as a de facto parent may also be subject to child support obligations in the event of divorce or separation.
Do I need an attorney if I want to separate from or divorce my partner or spouse?
It is highly advisable that you retain the services of an experienced LGTBQ+ family law attorney if you are divorcing or separating from your spouse or partner. An attorney can ensure that your rights and interests are protected during the separation or divorce process, including during the division of marital or joint property as well as with respect to spousal support and child custody and support.

let michele zavos help to complete your family.

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