Removal Proceedings Can Be Reopened In Same-Sex Marriage Cases
Immigrants with a removal order are now eligible for relief based on their same-sex marriage to a U.S. citizen. At the April 10, 2014 American Immigration Lawyer’s Association/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) liaison meeting, ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) announced that it will agree to join Motions to Reopen where the respondent […]
But What Happened to Our Connecticut Civil Union?
One of the questions clients ask Freed Marcroft’s lawyers is what happened to their Connecticut civil union once Connecticut same sex couples were able to marry. As you may recall, civil unions for same sex couples were a concept introduced in Vermont in 2000. In April 2005, Connecticut enacted a civil union law, making it the first state […]
Life and Estate Planning Remains Critical for Same Sex Couples Following Windsor Decision
Life and estate planning is important for everyone, but it is even more important for people in same sex relationships — even when they are legally married. Unfortunately, the Windsor decision in which the United States Supreme Court found section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional does not change this. A remaining section of DOMA states that that each state […]
Transgender People and the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles: Name and Gender Marker Change
Prior to a transgender individual’s being able to able to change his or her name on a Connecticut driver’s license, typically a probate court must have granted a name change petition, and the name must also already be updated with the Social Security Administration. Once those things are accomplished, you can go to a Connecticut Department […]
Connecticut Stepparent Adoptions: Is a Home Study Required?
“Second parent adoption” is the term used to describe adoptions in which the biological parent of one child agrees to allow another person responsible for the child’s care to legally adopt the child. This person may be a same sex spouse.
If you are interested, I have written more extensively previously about what second parent adoptions are
Ten Connecticut Companies Earn Perfect Scores on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index
Last week we discussed how Connecticut cities fared in the Human Rights Campaign’s 2013 Municipal Equality Index. This week, the Human Rights Campaign released its 12th annual Corporate Equality Index.
So how did Connecticut-based companies do this year?
The HRC Foundation
Why Legally Married Same Sex Couples Should Adopt Their Children
This week we got one of our favorite calls — a couple looking for assistance with their child’s adoption.
Prior to marriage equality in Connecticut, second parent adoption was critical for same sex couples because it provided a route to legal recognition of parenthood for them, even though they were unable to marry. Now that same sex couples are able to marry
Connecticut Anti-Discrimination Laws for Transgender People
On July 1, 2011, Governor Dannel Malloy signed Public Act 11-55, “An Act Concerning Discrimination,” into law, making Connecticut the 4th state in New England and the 15th state in the United States “to provide explicit anti-discrimination protections for transgender people.”
The act, which went into effect on October 1, 2011, protects against discrimination in
Connecticut Jurisdiction Over Divorce for Non-Residents in Same Sex Marriages
Meghan’s recent posts about cases pending in Texas and Mississippi address the difficulty people in same sex marriages can have locating a court who will grant them a divorce if their marriage doesn’t work. I thought it made sense to explore further whether Connecticut can grant divorces to same sex couples who married here, but who reside elsewhere. Connecticut law, […]
Connecticut Bar Association LGBT Section Gathering with Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Andrew McDonald
On November 13, 2013, the new Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Section of the Connecticut Bar Association held a meeting featuring Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Andrew McDonald. Justice McDonald is Connecticut’s first openly
