Same Sex Marriage
In 2015, the United States Supreme Court issued a historic decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. This ruling officially legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, including in Cleveland, Ohio and across the state.
At the time, Ohio was one of just 14 states that still banned same-sex marriage. But with the Court’s decision on June 26, 2015, courthouses across the state opened their doors to gay and lesbian couples, granting them the right to:
-
Apply
for
marriage
licenses
-
Live
as
married
couples
under
the
law
-
Access
the
same
rights
and
responsibilities
as
opposite-sex
couples
What Challenges Do Same-Sex Couples Face in Divorce?
While marriage equality was a major victory, same-sex couples in Cleveland, Ohio still encounter unique legal challenges—particularly during separation or divorce.
Key Issues Same-Sex Couples May Face:
-
Child
Custody
-
Who
has
legal
parental
rights?
-
What
happens
if
one
partner
is
not
the
biological
parent?
-
Who
has
legal
parental
rights?
-
Property
Division
-
How
should
property
be
divided
if
the
relationship
began
before
2015
(when
marriage
wasn’t
yet
legally
recognized)?
-
How
does
this
affect
shared
homes,
savings,
and
investments?
-
How
should
property
be
divided
if
the
relationship
began
before
2015
(when
marriage
wasn’t
yet
legally
recognized)?
-
Spousal
Support
-
What
counts
as
the
“length
of
marriage”
if
the
couple
lived
together
long
before
marriage
was
legal?
- How does this impact eligibility for alimony?
-
What
counts
as
the
“length
of
marriage”
if
the
couple
lived
together
long
before
marriage
was
legal?
How a Skilled Attorney in Cleveland, Ohio Can Help
The experts at the Law Offices of Cara L. Santosuosso, LLC, can guide you through:
-
Protecting
custody
and
visitation
rights
-
Ensuring
fair
property
division
-
Clarifying
spousal
support
eligibility
-
Navigating
legal
gray
areas
that
affect
LGBTQ+
families
Moving Forward With Confidence
Marriage equality gave same-sex couples the legal recognition they deserve, but challenges remain when marriages end. If you’re facing divorce or custody issues in Cleveland, Ohio, having knowledgeable legal representation can make all the difference.
Contact our expert attorneys at the Law Offices of Cara L. Santosuosso, LLC, near Cleveland, Ohio, to protect your rights and help you navigate the unique issues that same-sex couples often face.