Soulsby Law serves clients in San Antonio, Bexar County and throughout the state.

Is it time to update LGBTQ parentage laws?

On Behalf of | Jun 8, 2023 | Family law, LGBTQ Family Law

Members of the LGBTQ community in Texas are calling for updates to existing parentage laws. This is a call to action that has also been echoed through the rest of the U.S. Recent studies have shown that almost 1 in 3 LBGTQ adults are engaged in the raising of children under 18. The reports call for adjustments that will better suit their needs.

Parentage should never be in jeopardy

LBGTQ family law is an issue of controversy in many circles. This includes the jurisdiction of many states who have not reformed their basic family laws in decades. As a result, LGBTQ parents or those seeking to become parents can find themselves at a disadvantage. This is a situation that existing family laws have yet to address fully.

Parents of all backgrounds need to be able to make critical decisions regarding health care and education for the children they are raising. They may also want to provide for a child by leaving an inheritance or putting a child on their health insurance policy. However, if the law does not consider the adult to be the child’s legal parent, complications can arise.

Maintaining a family is a serious issue

Starting a family in the legal sense can be an incredibly distressing issue for LGBTQ parents. The concept of legal parentage should ensure that parents never lose their connection to a child. But for many LGBTQ parents, this occurs when one partner dies or the marriage is dissolved.

More than half of U.S. states have yet to create a clear pathway to defining the full legal rights of LGBTQ parents. This results in legal battles that are complex, time intensive, and costly. Many family law advocates are joining forces nationwide to call for reform. This call may affect parental law discourse for years to come.

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