Child Custody and Visitation: Settling issues of child custody and visitation can be complicated and difficult when a same sex relationship ends. Did you know?… A non-biological parent who has provided for and bonded with a child while in a familial relationship can petition the court for visitation rights if the case can be made that you have been a “psychological parent” for the child.

If you are a non-biological parent in a same sex custody battle, our family law attorneys will work hard to protect your parental rights and relationship with your child.

Contact our New Jersey Family Law Attorneys

For legal help with civil unions, domestic partnerships, or other issues affecting same-sex couples in New Jersey, contact Aretsky & Aretsky by e-mail or call (201) 996-0234.

“TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Gay rights activists in New Jersey hope the U.S. Supreme Court will establish a constitutional right to gay marriage and end a prohibition in that state.

As 1010 WINS’ Sonia Rincon reported, the Supreme Court on Friday agreed to take up the California ban on same-sex unions, as well as a separate New York case about federal benefits for legally married gay couples.

We don’t have marriage equality in New Jersey yet,” said Steven Goldstein, chairman of Garden State Equality. “If the Supreme Court rules all the way, as in marriage equality has to be legal in the United States of America, we have marriage equality in New Jersey.” Read more about supreme court case on New Jersey gay marriage…

As same-sex couples in New Jersey await the supreme court’s decision on same-sex marriage, it is still not legal for gay and lesbian couples to have the full range of legal benefits of marriage, but civil unions are recognized in the state of New Jersey, offering many of the protections of marriage.

Our Bergen County family lawyers have been on the leading edge of family law cases involving same sex couples in New Jersey. We understand the challenges you face and can provide legal solutions to protect you, your family, and your finances.

For example: Prenuptial Agreements: Although lesbian and gay couples now have the benefit of civil union to define legal rights within a relationship, you may still benefit from entering a prenuptial agreement for many of the same reasons heterosexual couples do. A prenuptial agreement can protect a personal business or financial assets in the event of a later divorce. It can protect the inheritance rights of children from an earlier marriage.

And it can give the prospective spouses a greater feeling of security. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a divorce and family lawyer.

New Jersey is one of four states offering civil unions and one of ten states providing spousal rights to same sex couples. Under New Jersey law, a civil union is equivalent to a marriage. Currently, since civil unions are not recognized by the federal government, gay and lesbian couples are not afforded the same federal benefits and protections.

And they face possible legal problems when traveling, living, or working in other states. As a Bergen County family lawyer, we can help you understand these risks, and your rights under state and federal law.

At the Ridgewood law office of Aretsky and Aretsky, our attorneys have been on the leading edge of family law cases involving same sex couples in New Jersey. We understand the challenges you face and can provide legal solutions to protect you, your family, and your finances. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a divorce and family lawyer for a broad range of legal services, including:

• Prenuptial agreements
• Powers of attorney to ensure decision making authority for a partner
• Adoption and child custody and visitation agreements
• Dissolution of civil union, along with division of marital assets