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Our aim is to give you the advice which will allow you to make the best possible decisions about your family and the future.
Our approach is to seek agreement wherever that is possible, using court proceedings only as a last resort and never for their own sake. Where it is necessary to litigate, we will represent you with care and vigour.
We will give you sensible and sensitive advice; where we feel that you would be best served by an expert from another discipline, as well as or instead of a lawyer, we can help you identify that person.
We are committed, discreet and professional. |
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Same Sex Parenting |
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New Parenthood Provisions - 16th April 2010.
"Covent Garden Family Law are delighted to have advised two women who are registered as domestic partners in the State of New York, who have successfully registered both their names on their child’s birth certificate as ‘mother’ and ‘parent’.
This birth registration, naming the two women as the child’s legal parents, is the first such application made in The City of Westminster under the new legislation.
They were guided through the new parenthood provisions introduced by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and the conditions necessary for the recognition of overseas relationships under the Civil Partnership Act 2004.
Haema Sundram and Alison Burt have both got particular expertise in this complex and cutting edge area of law."
If you and your civil partner have or intend to raise children together then you may need advice about your legal position.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 makes significant changes to the status of civil partners and same sex couples who decide to start a family, whether by private arrangement with a known donor, through a licensed clinic or by a surrogacy arrangement, whether in the UK or abroad. Our specialist lawyers can help you navigate the new law and ensure that you have a full understanding of the legal implications when creating your family.
If you use a known sperm donor or if you are planning to be a donor you may wish to consider entering into a family creation agreement setting out what is expected and agreed about contact with the child, financial support and future decision-making. In our experience it is usually helpful for these points to be discussed and recorded. Such agreements are not legally binding in this jurisdiction but may be helpful in the event of a disagreement.
If you and your partner have entered into a civil partnership then in some circumstances your partner may acquire parental responsibility automatically. In others it may be possible for your partner to acquire parental responsibility through a parental responsibility agreement or a parental responsibility order. If the child's father is involved (whether through a donor arrangement or from a previous relationship) then we can advise you about the status of each of the adults involved in the upbringing of the children.
Our team also assists couples who decide to adopt children, whether the couple are jointly adopting children placed with them by an adoption agency, or where the non-biological parent wishes to adopt children born to her partner. Our child law experts can guide you through what can seem like a lengthy and complicated process.
Useful Links
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority website, with useful information and FAQ about all areas of assisted reproduction
www.hfea.gov.uk/fertility.html
Stonewall information on all aspects of parenting for LGBT people
www.stonewall.org.uk/at_home/parenting/default.asp
Advice on all aspects of gay parenting
www.pinkparents.org.uk
Adoption support for LGBT people
www.newfamilysocial.co.uk
Support for gay and lesbian families
www.pacehealth.org.uk/family_support |
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