Metro Atlanta Domestic Partnership Lawyer
Same Sex ● Unmarried ● Civil Unions
Laws pertaining to families are based on legal precedents of many centuries past during which marriage or adoption were the only legal mechanisms by which to form new family relationships. In today’s society, the reality is that many heterosexual and homosexual couples live together and raise children without formalizing a marital bond. Individuals and couples in domestic partnerships often need legal advice regarding property, children, and other matters that have traditionally been dealt with within the confines of marriage.
To schedule a consultation with an experienced Atlanta domestic partnership attorney, contact Anthony M. Zezima. Mr. Zezima has represented clients in matters including same-sex partner adoptions, custody disputes between divorced parties when one has entered into a same-sex partnership, and other complex family law matters. Mr. Zezima represents individuals, regardless of affiliation.
Legal Considerations of Same Sex Partners
The State of Georgia does not sanction or recognize marriage between partners of the same sex. In fact, Georgia law specifically states that it does not recognize marriages between persons of the same sex, even though they may have been legally married in another state or country. However, Atlanta, Georgia is the home of one of the largest gay and lesbian communities in the country, and therefore the legal needs of these citizens must be met. The city of Atlanta and Fulton County governments have recognized the rights of domestic partners in setting up its benefits programs, and many prominent corporate employers have done so as well.
Legal Opportunities of Domestic Partners
Some issues related to domestic partners, and also single members of the gay and lesbian community, are reciprocal wills, custody and visitation of children, separation of assets, living wills, general power of attorney, and powers of attorney for health care. Partners may also enter into a Domestic Partnership Agreement, similar to a premarital agreement.
Child Custody Matters in Domestic Partnerships, Gay or Straight
Georgia cases have also recognized the rights of gay and lesbian parents in child custody actions where the major contested issue is the sexual preference and lifestyle of the existing custodial parent, or the proposed custodial parent.
Georgia Constitution forbids same sex marriage, and any other benefits of marriage, or benefit based upon relationship similar to marriage
Constitution of the State of Georgia, Article I, Section IV provides as follows:
Paragraph I. Recognition of marriage
(a) This state shall recognize as marriage only the union of man and woman. Marriages between persons of the same sex are prohibited in this state.
(b) No union between persons of the same sex shall be recognized by this state as entitled to the benefits of marriage. This state shall not give effect to any public act, record, or judicial proceeding of any other state or jurisdiction respecting a relationship between persons of the same sex that is treated as a marriage under the laws of such other state or jurisdiction. The courts of this state shall have no jurisdiction to grant a divorce or separate maintenance with respect to any such relationship or otherwise to consider or rule on any of the parties' respective rights arising as a result of or in connection with such relationship.
GA CONST Art. 1, § 4, ¶ I
Contact Fulton County domestic partnership attorney Anthony M. Zezima, P.C. to schedule an initial consultation.
