Same-sex adoption has been legal in California since 2003, allowing for adoption by stepparents and joint adoption between same-sex couples. The California Supreme Court has broadened many of the state's family codes relating to child custody and visitation to include same-sex couples. Therefore, when making a decision about child custody and visitation, courts will rely on section 3011 of the California Family Code to determine a custody agreement that is in the best interest of the child. Lesbian couples have been able to access artificial insemination since 1976 and both gestational and traditional surrogacy agreements are recognized as valid in the state.
If you experience discrimination in the family court system because you are a same-sex parent, you should immediately contact an experienced family law attorney. It's important to note that many Americans have no idea how adoption works, much less how LGBT adoption is different. In addition to helping children achieve permanence with new families, foster home adoptions save taxpayers money compared to funding for children to remain in foster care. Same-sex couples are “four times more likely than their different-sex counterparts to raise a foster child” and “six times more likely than their different-sex counterparts to raise adopted children”.
Until recently, nearly one-third of adoption agencies had the right to prevent LGBT adults from adopting a child because of their religious affiliation or because of state law. Nowadays, more and more LGBT parents have taken action and hired a lawyer specializing in family matters, as well as lawyers specializing in LGBT issues, who have the knowledge and passion to break down the barriers that restrict the adoption of LGBT couples. Increasing the reach and recruitment of people from the LGBTQ community, especially considering their disproportionate participation in adoption and foster care, would be a step in the right direction. If living in Los Angeles has a big advantage, it would have to be the diversity of cultures, people and foods. Advertising is funded by attorneys participating in a joint advertising program, including David Hakimfar, who is authorized to practice law exclusively in California.
All of the attorneys who work with Pride Legal are members of the LGBT community or work closely with it. If all it takes is a single 60-minute session once a year, there is no comprehensive curriculum, but at least an attempt is made to bring LGBT issues to light in the adoption process. At Pride Legal, it's not about finding lawyers who only represent members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, but about finding lawyers who understand and care about the different steps to take when working on an LGBT case, especially those related to the adoption of LGBT people. To learn more about who to go through the adoption process with as a member of the LGBT community, contact an attorney through Pride Legal which specializes in connecting clients to qualified attorneys experienced in representing the LGBT community throughout California. While the facts are known and programs are underway, it's important for those considering adoption as an LGBT couple to understand their rights under California law and how they can best protect themselves during this process. Adoption laws can be complex and vary from state to state.
In Los Angeles County specifically, same-sex couples have been able to adopt since 2003 when California legalized same-sex marriage. The California Supreme Court has also expanded many of California's family codes relating to child custody and visitation to include same-sex couples. For those considering adoption as an LGBT couple it is important to understand their rights under California law and how they can best protect themselves during this process. To learn more about who to go through the adoption process with as a member of the LGBT community contact an attorney through Pride Legal which specializes in connecting clients with qualified attorneys experienced in representing LGBT individuals throughout California.
