Texas family law explained in new publication

Equality Texas and the Family Equality Council have published a new legal guide for LGBT families Texas, Texas LGBTQ Family Law and is available online.
The book’s authors credit Austin attorney Suzanne Bryant, one of the state’s experts on LGBT adoption and family law, with reviewing and editing the guide, which covers everything from birth to disposition of remains.
Significantly, the guide explains what rights are covered by the Obergefell marriage equality decision and what paperwork is still needed.
While couple gain many rights through marriage equality, couples who marry may lose the Federal Adoption Tax Credit that is available only to the unmarried partner adopting a spouse’s child.
The guide details when a child is born to one spouse, if a second parent adoption is necessary or if the child is assumed to be the spouse’s child as well under Texas law. While every attempt has been made for laws to equally cover same-sex and opposite-sex couples, an attorney who understands the new laws and court rulings may still be necessary to make sure the child’s best interests are ensured.