LGBTQIA+ Families

North Carolina is gradually making changes in the laws as they affect LGBTQIA+ families. Our attorneys are diligent about staying current on new legislation as it unfolds.

WFLG works with same-sex couples and other clients within the LGBTQIA+ community on legal matters relating specifically to family law, including divorce, adoptions, agreements, parentage, surrogacy, alimony, child support, and child custody.

Same Sex Marriage in North Carolina

Wake Family Law Group provides a full spectrum of family law services for clients who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, including premarital agreements, post-nuptial agreements, and divorce-related services.  We also work with clients who are unmarried but had civil unions or domestic partnerships in other jurisdictions to protect both financial and personal interests in the event of a separation.

LGBTQIA+ Adoption & Parentage in North Carolina

North Carolina laws for adoption and parentage can be confusing, especially for same-sex families. WFLG assists LGBTQIA+ couples understand their rights and take action in cases involving adoption and other legal parentage matters.

Previously in North Carolina, same-sex couples could not adopt together even if they were married.  As our laws have changed, married same-sex couples may now adopt children together. In cases where only one parent was previously the legal or adoptive parent or where one parent is the genetic parent, “confirmatory adoptions” (filed as a step-parent adoption by the parent who is not the legal and/or genetic parent) are now available to formalize the parent-child relationship for the other parent.

Our practice also assists families who wish to build their family through assisted reproductive technology. The legal issues that surround surrogacy can be complicated and require detailed agreements to ensure that all parties are protected.

LGBTQIA+ Child Custody in North Carolina

While it is never easy to face child custody dilemmas, it is a reality that some relationships come to an end, and agreements must be reached pertaining to custody of children. As with many family law issues, the child custody laws in North Carolina for same-sex parents currently differ somewhat from those for different sex parents, particularly when only one parent is legally recognized as the parent of the child(ren).

Our family law attorneys have in-depth knowledge of North Carolina child custody laws, as well as experience in bringing resolution to these important issues. Parenting agreements created during the relationship are especially important for same-sex families, as they lay out the couple’s intent to be a two-parent family with permanent parent-child relationships. Judges often rely on these documents to guide decisions in custody matters that may later arise.