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Tag Archive for: gay marriage ban

Lgbtq Collaborative Divorce Florida Cordover - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law Firm

Why LGBTQ+ Professionals Choose Collaborative Divorce in Florida

May 18, 2025/in LGBT Family Law Matters, Collaborative Divorce //Tags: bisexual divorce, collaborative attorney, collaborative divorce, collaborative facilitator, collaborative family law, collaborative financial professional, Collaborative Law, collaborative mental health professional, collaborative practice, dissolution of marriage, divorce, florida divorce, gay and lesbian couples, gay and lesbian parents, gay divorce, gay marriage, gay marriage ban, lesbian divorce, LGBT family law, LGBTQ+, LGBTQ+ divorce, parenting plan, private divorce, same sex couples, same sex divorce, same sex marriage, same-sex parents, Tampa Bay Collaborative Divorce, Tampa Bay Collaborative Family Law, transgender divorceby Adam

As an LGBTQ+ professional, you may already be carrying the weight of navigating a world that does not always recognize or protect your family the way it should. Whether you are “out” or prefer to keep parts of your personal life private, these times can feel especially heavy. Sadly, you may feel like many LGBTQ+ families today—under attack—whether from unfair legislation, social judgment, or even your own community.

When you are going through a divorce, the last thing you need is to have your private life, financial matters, or parenting decisions laid bare in a public courtroom. That’s why many LGBTQ+ professionals turn to Collaborative Divorce—a private, respectful, and forward-thinking way to resolve family matters without fighting in court.

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https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/LGBTQ-Collaborative-Divorce-Florida-Cordover.png 1024 1024 Adam https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg Adam2025-05-18 09:18:382025-05-18 09:18:38Why LGBTQ+ Professionals Choose Collaborative Divorce in Florida
Lgbtq Family Law Firm In Florida 1 - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law Firm

LGBTQ+ Friendly Family Law Firm in Florida

August 22, 2023/in LGBT Family Law Matters, Adoption, Collaborative Divorce, Healthy Divorce, Kids Ok, Legal Name Change //Tags: bisexual parental rights, bisexual rights, gay adoption, gay and lesbian couples, gay and lesbian parents, gay marriage, gay marriage ban, gay parental rights, gay partnership agreement, gay rights, lesbian adoption, lesbian parental rights, lesbian rights, LGBT custody rights, LGBT family law, LGBT family law rights, LGBTQ+, transgender family law rights, transgender name change, transgender parental rights, transgender rightsby Adam

If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community in Florida, you might have found yourself wondering about the best path forward when it comes to family law matters. We get it—navigating the legal landscape can be confusing and overwhelming, and now is not the time for a lawyer to judge you or your family. But fear not! At Family Diplomacy, we’ve got your back. Our mission is to provide you with an open, friendly, and supportive environment as we work together to tailor LGBTQ+ Family Law solutions that perfectly suit your unique needs.  And we help families throughout the State of Florida.

Crafting Harmony through Collaborative Family Law

Picture this: you’ve got personal family matters to resolve, but you’re dreading the thought of entering a public adversarial court system. Guess what? You don’t have to go that route. Family Diplomacy recommends a much more peaceful alternative for Florida and Tampa Bay LGBTQ+ spouses and partners: Collaborative Family Law.

Here’s the scoop: in this process, attorneys are on board solely to help you reach private resolutions. We’re actually barred from fighting before a judge. Plus, there’s a facilitator—usually a trained mental health professional—who’s there to keep everyone focused on what’s best for the family, including any children involved. This person ensures that communication remains respectful and productive. And since financial matters can be complex, especially for LGBTQ+ relationships, a financial professional might step in to guide you through the intricacies of assets and debts.

Meet the Collaborative Guru: Adam B. Cordover

LCordover Lawyer Review - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law Firmet us introduce you to an intellectual leader in collaborative practice—Adam B. Cordover. He’s not just any lawyer; he’s an internationally-recognized leader and trainer in collaborative practice. He’s even presented on the use of collaborative practice for LGBTQ+ family law matters to professional and civic groups around the U.S., Canada, France, and Israel, and across Florida including in Tampa, Sarasota, and Orlando, Jacksonville, Boca Raton, and beyond. Adam is also co-author of an American Bar Association book on collaborative family law, a member of the Board of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, and recipient of the inaugural Visionary Award from the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals. You’re in good hands!

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https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LGBTQ-Family-Law-Firm-in-Florida-1.png 3456 6912 Adam https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg Adam2023-08-22 09:00:152023-08-22 09:00:15LGBTQ+ Friendly Family Law Firm in Florida

Cordover & Gaies Present on LGBTQ Families & Relationships

August 18, 2017/in LGBT Family Law Matters, Collaborative Divorce, Mediation //Tags: bisexual parental rights, bisexual rights, gay adoption, gay and lesbian couples, gay and lesbian parents, gay marriage, gay marriage ban, gay parental rights, gay partnership agreement, gay rights, lesbian adoption, lesbian parental rights, lesbian rights, LGBT custody rights, LGBT family law, LGBT family law rights, same sex couples, same sex divorce, same sex marriage, same-sex parents, transgender family law rights, transgender name change, transgender parental rights, transgender rightsby Adam

On August 11, 2017, psychologist and collaborative facilitator Jeremy Gaies joined collaborative attorney and mediator Adam B. Cordover to present on the topic of “LGBTQ Relationships:  The New Family and Out-of-Court Dispute Resolution.”  Gaies and Cordover facilitated the LGBTQ families workshop at the 25th Annual Conference of Florida’s Dispute Resolution Center.

Purpose of LGBTQ Families Workshop

The purpose of the workshop was threefold:

  1. Identify specific legal and other considerations for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals and families;
  2. Engage in discussion of various out-of-court options to meet LGBTQ needs; and
  3. Consider new and future legal challenges for LGBTQ clients and the family law community.

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https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg 0 0 Adam https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg Adam2017-08-18 07:49:192019-04-03 09:29:20Cordover & Gaies Present on LGBTQ Families & Relationships

Can 2 Men or 2 Women Appear on a Florida Birth Certificate?

April 27, 2016/0 Comments/in Adoption, Case Law Update, Florida Statutes, LGBT Family Law Matters //Tags: adoption, birth certificate, birth certificate correction, declaratory judgment, gay adoption, gay and lesbian couples, gay and lesbian parents, gay marriage, gay marriage ban, gay parental rights, gay rights, lesbian adoption, lesbian parental rights, lesbian rights, LGBT family law, LGBT family law rights, Office of Vital Statistics, same sex couples, same sex divorce, same sex marriage, same-sex parents, second parent adoption, vital statisticsby Adam

Florida has not had the best history when it comes to the rights of same-sex couples.  For the longest time, the state had a law on the books that gay men and women were forbidden from adopting a child.  Florida not only enacted a so-called Defense of Marriage Act statute but enshrined its opposition to same-sex marriage in the state’s constitution.  Further, even once Florida courts ruled that the state must recognize marriage between people of the same sex, it was unclear whether the state would permit same-sex divorce.

Fortunately, the state has come a long way.  The “gay adoption ban” is no longer on the books.  The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a ban on the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples is unconstitutional, as is a refusal of one state to recognize a same-sex marriage solemnized in another state.  And it has become clear that circuit courts in Tampa Bay and around the state must give same-sex spouses the opportunity to dissolve their marriage.

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So, at this point, can two parents of the same sex appear on a Florida birth certificate?

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https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg 0 0 Adam https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg Adam2016-04-27 08:29:422016-04-24 11:21:11Can 2 Men or 2 Women Appear on a Florida Birth Certificate?

Divorce Lawyer Client Review: A Complicated Divorce Goes Collaborative

February 24, 2016/0 Comments/in Family Lawyer Reviews / Testimonials, Collaborative Divorce, Divorce, Divorce Process, Family Law News, LGBT Family Law Matters //Tags: collaborative attorney, collaborative divorce, collaborative family law, Collaborative Law, collaborative practice, Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, gay and lesbian couples, gay and lesbian parents, gay marriage, gay marriage ban, gay rights, lesbian rights, LGBT family law, LGBT family law rights, same sex couples, same sex divorce, same sex marriage, Tampa Bay Collaborative Divorce, Tampa Bay Collaborative Family Lawby Adam

Recently, I came across a very complicated divorce matter where two women had been battling in the court system for six years, even before the State of Florida recognized their marriage.  One of the women ended up firing her aggressive trial attorney and hiring me because I offered an alternative: collaborative divorce.  Once everyone agreed to stop fighting, we were able to reach an agreement within just a few months’ time.

Lawyer Adam Cordover | Top Attorney Divorce

That client, Pattie, recently wrote a touching review about my paralegal, Jennifer, and I at avvo.com.  You can find the review below.

As I am required to note by the Florida Bar, please understand that every case is different, and you may not receive the same or similar results.

The Law Firm of Adam B. Cordover & Staff are amazing, professional caring people. Please know that I don’t mean for this review to be long or boring, my intent is to shed hope & shine light into your present life from my past experience and situation.

My situation was very complicated from the start being a same sex marriage which for years was not recognized in the State of Florida until January 2015 and two properties involved.

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https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg 0 0 Adam https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg Adam2016-02-24 08:30:162019-04-03 09:26:59Divorce Lawyer Client Review: A Complicated Divorce Goes Collaborative

Cordover Presents on LGBTQ+ Family Law in Sarasota

October 10, 2015/0 Comments/in Family Law News, LGBT Family Law Matters //Tags: bisexual parental rights, bisexual rights, gay adoption, gay and lesbian couples, gay and lesbian parents, gay marriage, gay marriage ban, gay parental rights, gay rights, lesbian adoption, lesbian parental rights, lesbian rights, LGBT custody rights, LGBT family law, LGBT family law rights, same sex couples, same sex divorce, same sex marriage, same-sex parentsby Adam

Family Diplomacy’s managing attorney Adam B. Cordover gave a presentation on “The New Family: LGBTQ+ Issues & Family Law” at the 2015 Fall Conference of the Florida Court Professional Collaborative (FCPC) of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit.  The title of the Conference was “2015 Trends in Family Law.”

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https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg 0 0 Adam https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg Adam2015-10-10 14:55:042024-02-13 15:42:05Cordover Presents on LGBTQ+ Family Law in Sarasota

Florida to Make Marriage Certificates Gender Neutral. What About Birth Certificates?

August 24, 2015/0 Comments/in LGBT Family Law Matters //Tags: gay adoption, gay and lesbian couples, gay and lesbian parents, gay marriage, gay marriage ban, gay parental rights, gay rights, lesbian adoption, lesbian parental rights, lesbian rights, LGBT custody rights, LGBT family law, LGBT family law rights, Office of Vital Statistics, same sex couples, same sex divorce, same sex marriage, same-sex parentsby Adam

According to a recent report in the Tampa edition of Creative Loafing, in light of the recent Supreme Court decision and issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples, Florida’s Office of Vital Statistics is making the state’s marriage certificates gender neutral.  From Creative Loafing:

Friday marked the anniversary of the anniversary of District Judge Robert Hinkle’s ruling that struck down the state’s gay marriage ban.

On the eve of that anniversary, LGBT equality advocates saw another small but symbolic victory, according to Equality Florida.Marriagecertificateweb.jpg

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https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg 0 0 Adam https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg Adam2015-08-24 11:13:072016-03-03 17:17:43Florida to Make Marriage Certificates Gender Neutral. What About Birth Certificates?

Judge: Same-Sex Marriage Licenses Must Be Issued In Kentucky

August 19, 2015/0 Comments/in LGBT Family Law Matters //Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, Florida marriage laws, gay marriage, gay marriage ban, marriage equality, marriage license, same sex marriageby Adam

Despite Kentucky Clerk of the Court Kim Davis’ argument that issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples violates her constitutional rights, a federal judge has ruled that the clerk must obey the law, do her job, and issue the marriage licenses.

In his order, the federal judge wrote, “It does not seem unreasonable for Plaintiffs, as Rowan County voters, to expect their elected official to perform her statutorily assigned duties.  And yet, that is precisely what Davis is refusing to do.”

A video from USA Today on the news can be found after the jump.

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https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg 0 0 Adam https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg Adam2015-08-19 09:42:402016-03-03 17:24:49Judge: Same-Sex Marriage Licenses Must Be Issued In Kentucky

Can I Now Divorce My Same-Sex Spouse in Florida?

January 6, 2015/1 Comment/in Case Law Update, Collaborative Divorce, Family Law News //Tags: collaborative divorce, Defense of Marriage Act, dissolution of marriage, divorce, DOMA, gay and lesbian couples, gay and lesbian parents, gay marriage, gay marriage ban, gay rights, lesbian parental rights, lesbian rights, LGBT family law, LGBT family law rights, same sex couples, same sex divorce, same sex marriage, same-sex parentsby Adam B. Cordover, Attorney-at-Law

Last week, Federal Judge Robert L. Hinkle clarified his ruling in Brenner v. Scott to state, definitively, that the U.S. Constitution requires Florida clerks of court to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.  This has brought great jubilation that marriage equality is finally recognized in Florida.  Clerks throughout the state (including in my own Hillsborough County) have begun issuing marriage licenses, and some even have officiated over marriages.

Hillsborough County Clerk Of The Court Pat Frank Officiates Over A Mass Same-Sex Wedding

Hillsborough County Clerk of the Court Pat Frank Officiates Over a Mass Same-Sex Wedding

However, is same-sex marriage yet completely equal in Florida?  Is it recognized for all purposes in Florida, including for purposes of dissolving that marriage?

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https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg 0 0 Adam B. Cordover, Attorney-at-Law https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg Adam B. Cordover, Attorney-at-Law2015-01-06 14:13:382016-03-11 10:03:27Can I Now Divorce My Same-Sex Spouse in Florida?

Florida Same-Sex Annulment

November 26, 2014/0 Comments/in Case Law Update, LGBT Family Law Matters //Tags: annul, annulment, collaborative divorce, dissolution of marriage, divorce, Florida Constitution, Florida court, gay and lesbian couples, gay marriage, gay marriage ban, gay rights, lesbian rights, same sex couples, same sex divorce, same sex marriage, same-sex parentsby Adam B. Cordover, Attorney-at-Law

As Florida does not currently recognize same-sex marriages, some judges have interpreted the state’s ban as precluding them from granting same-sex divorces.  I am involved in a case in which two women married in Massachusetts, moved to Florida, and separated.  They utilized the interdisciplinary collaborative process to come to a full settlement agreement and filed a petition for dissolution of marriage in Tampa.  The judge ultimately denied their petition, determining that she did not have jurisdiction to dissolve that which the state does not recognize.

And we appealed.  This has become the first divorce matter in Florida to challenge Article I, Section 27 of the Florida Constitution banning recognition of same-sex marriage.

In the meantime, the gay marriage ban is still in effect.  So is there anything that same-sex spouses can do to legally end their marriage in Florida?

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https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg 0 0 Adam B. Cordover, Attorney-at-Law https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg Adam B. Cordover, Attorney-at-Law2014-11-26 10:08:522016-03-11 09:57:48Florida Same-Sex Annulment
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