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Tag Archive for: LGBT family law rights

Athletes Post - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law Firm

Professional Athletes and Seasonal Custody Schedules

September 29, 2025/in Collaborative Divorce, Custody, Custody Law //Tags: child custody, child support, 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 parents, LGBT family law rights, parental responsibility, parenting plan, paternity, same sex couples, Tampa Bay Collaborative Divorce, Tampa Bay Collaborative Family Law, time-sharingby Adam

For professional athletes, your life does not follow a standard calendar. Half the year may be spent training, traveling for games, or living in another city during the season. The other half may finally bring you back home with more flexible time. That rhythm is part of your career, but it also brings unique challenges when it comes to raising children. If you are going through a divorce, paternity matter, or otherwise establishing parenting rights or a time-sharing schedule, you need a process that respects your schedule, your privacy, and your children’s well-being.

Why Florida’s Standard Parenting Plans Often Fail for Professional Athletes

Typical custody schedules assume both parents live in the same area with relatively predictable routines. They rarely account for long stretches where one parent is away for work. For athletes, sticking to a week-on, week-off plan is impossible when games, travel, and training dominate half the year. Further, generic parenting plans don’t take into account what happens if you are traded or when you retire from professional sports.  Without flexibility and anticipation of future changes, you risk missing meaningful parenting time and leaving your children caught in the middle of scheduling conflicts.

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Lgbtq Family Law Firm In Florida 1 - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law Firm

Protecting Your Florida LGBTQ+ Family

November 24, 2024/in LGBT Family Law Matters //Tags: bisexual divorce, bisexual parental rights, bisexual rights, collaborative divorce, domestic partnership agreement, gay adoption, gay and lesbian couples, gay and lesbian parents, gay divorce, gay marriage, gay parental rights, gay partnership agreement, gay rights, lesbian adoption, lesbian divorce, lesbian parental rights, lesbian rights, LGBT custody rights, LGBT family law, LGBT family law rights, LGBTQ+, LGBTQ+ divorce, postmarital agreement, postnup, postnuptial agreement, transgender divorce, transgender family law rights, transgender name change, transgender parental rights, transgender rightsby Adam

If you or a member of your family identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or otherwise (LGBTQ+), you are likely feeling under siege from the rhetoric and actions of Florida and national politicians.  You may be wondering what you can do to protect your family’s rights.  This blog discusses steps that you can take to shore up your Florida LGBTQ+ family law rights.

Adopting Your Children

If you are in a same-sex relationship and have children with your partner/spouse, and if you are not a biological parent, you need to adopt your children.  This recommendation surprises a lot of families.  But I have seen heart-breaking situations where a couple splits up, the non-biological parent is denied recognition of their parenthood, and all contact is cut off between that parent and the children until the children are adults.

Even if your children were born during your marriage, if you are a non-biological parent, you should adopt.  Though there is a presumption that a child born during an intact marriage is the legal child of both parents, the likely applicable statute still uses language that only recognizes straight parents.  Section 742.11, Florida Statutes, states the following:

(1) Except in the case of gestational surrogacy, any child born within wedlock who has been conceived by the means of artificial or in vitro insemination is irrebuttably presumed to be the child of the husband and wife, provided that both husband and wife have consented in writing to the artificial or in vitro insemination.
(2) Except in the case of gestational surrogacy, any child born within wedlock who has been conceived by means of donated eggs or preembryos shall be irrebuttably presumed to be the child of the recipient gestating woman and her husband, provided that both parties have consented in writing to the use of donated eggs or preembryos.

When gestational surrogacy is utilized, section 742.13, Florida Statutes, still defines a “commissioning couple” as “the intended mother and father of a child who will be conceived…”

Because case law and legal presumptions can change, and because same-sex parents who utilize artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, and other methods have not had their rights codified by statute, I urge you to look into adopting your children.

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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 Adam2024-11-24 11:27:412024-11-24 11:27:41Protecting Your Florida LGBTQ+ Family
2024 04 Cordover Transgender Florida Bar News - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law Firm

April 2024 Florida Bar News Publishes Cordover Letter on Welcoming Transgender Clients

April 4, 2024/in LGBT Family Law Matters, Family Law News //Tags: cohabitation agreement, domestic partnership agreement, gay adoption, gay and lesbian couples, gay and lesbian parents, gay marriage, gay parental rights, gay partnership agreement, gay rights, Gender Non-Conforming, LGBT custody rights, LGBT family law, LGBT family law rights, LGBTQ+, transgender family law rights, transgender name change, transgender parental rights, transgender rightsby Adam

The April 2024 edition of the Florida Bar News, a monthly newspaper that goes to all lawyers in Florida, published a letter to the editor (click on link and scroll down) submitted by Family Diplomacy managing attorney Adam B. Cordover.  The letter urged lawyers to be welcoming to all, including transgender clients.  You can find the letter reproduced below:

BE WELCOMING

With legislation targeting the transgender community and the general coarsening of public rhetoric, it is important for us lawyers to remember one thing: Transgender folks are people, too. They have hopes and fears, dreams and obligations, just like everyone else. They want to get a driver’s license, graduate from school, build a family, travel, and grow a career without being impeded or having to go into detail about their private lives.

My family law practice has welcomed transgender clients in a non-judgment atmosphere since its founding in 2010. We have done so not only because it is the decent thing to do — which it is — but also because it makes good business sense.

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https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-Cordover-Transgender-Florida-Bar-News.png 1152 2048 Adam https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg Adam2024-04-04 07:47:562024-04-04 07:48:33April 2024 Florida Bar News Publishes Cordover Letter on Welcoming Transgender Clients
Transgender Name Change - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law FirmFamily Diplomacy

Tampa Bay Times Publishes Cordover Letter on Transgender Matters

February 2, 2024/in Family Law News, Legislative Update, LGBT Family Law Matters //Tags: LGBT family law rights, name change, transgender family law rights, transgender name change, transgender rightsby Adam

Throughout my legal career, I have been proud to offer a warm and welcoming environment for anyone seeking services related to divorce (including Collaborative Divorce), adoption, name change, and other family law matters.  Pretty soon after opening my practice in 2010, I began working with transgender clients seeking to have their names changed.  Further along, I provided them instructions based on information given by various agencies and entities about how to change their gender marker (e.g., male or female) on birth certificates, driver’s licenses, passports, and social security documents, if they wish.

Why Does a Gender Marker Even Matter?

At first, I didn’t really understood the whole “gender marker thing.” After all, everyone has things we don’t like about ourselves, so why couldn’t transgender folks just live with the gender marker to which they were assigned at birth?

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Img 1948 - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law Firm

Collaborative Law Firm Review: Dealing with LGBTQ Matters

January 7, 2024/in Family Lawyer Reviews / Testimonials, LGBT Family Law Matters //Tags: bisexual rights, gay rights, lesbian rights, LGBT family law, LGBT family law rights, LGBTQ+, sameby Adam

We at Family Diplomacy are grateful to our clients and proud of the work we do on LGBTQ matters.

A client graciously left a glowing review on Google, which you can find below and at this link.

Truly a pleasure working with the entire team at Family Diplomacy. Adam and Britney were fantastic through the entire process. Professional and personal at the same time. Communication was on point. From the very first phone conversation, there was a great comfort level, which is hard to find, especially when dealing with LGBTQ matters. Huge thank you to Family Diplomacy, I would recommend them a million times over!

Five Stars

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https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_1948.png 1152 2048 Adam https://familydiplomacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Family-Diplomacy-Logo.jpg Adam2024-01-07 17:01:392024-01-07 17:01:39Collaborative Law Firm Review: Dealing with LGBTQ Matters
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
2023 Tampa Pride Guide

Family Diplomacy Sponsors 2023 Tampa Pride Guide

March 18, 2023/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 partnership agreement, gay rights, Hillsborough County, lesbian adoption, lesbian parental rights, lesbian rights, LGBT custody rights, LGBT family law, LGBT family law rights, LGBTQ+, name change, same sex couples, same sex marriage, Tampa, Tampa Bay Collaborative Divorce, Tampa Bay Collaborative Family Law, Tampa Pride, transgender family law rights, transgender name change, transgender parental rights, transgender rights, Ybor Cityby Adam

Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm is proud to sponsor the 2023 Tampa Pride Guide.  The Guide is published by Watermark Online.  According to Carrie West, president of the event, “We welcome everyone near and far to our great city of Ybor for the 9th Annual Tampa Pride.  We share this celebration with thousands of visitors to enjoy our community’s welcoming hand and spirit through our day long LGBTQ festivities.”

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New Legal Name - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law Firm

Gender Non-Conforming Legal Name Change

March 16, 2021/in Legal Name Change, LGBT Family Law Matters //Tags: change of name, Florida name change, Gender Non-Conforming, LGBT family law, LGBT family law rights, LGBTQ+, name change, Tampa Bay Name Change Attorney, transgender family law rights, transgender name change, transgender rightsby Adam

If you are gender non-conforming and living in Florida, you may not know where to turn to change your legal name.  At Family Diplomacy, we pride ourselves in offering a welcoming environment.  From the moment you contact us, we will listen to and address your concerns, determine your eligibility for a name change, and stand by your side throughout the legal process.

We are here for you.

Gender Non-Conforming Definitions

For those reading this post who may not be familiar with this term, the Human Rights Campaign defines gender non-conforming as “[a] broad term referring to people who do not behave in a way that conforms to the traditional expectations of their gender, or whose gender expression does not fit neatly into a category. While many also identify as transgender, not all gender non-conforming people do.”

PFLAG, which describes itself as “the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies,” defines gender non-conforming as follows:

A term for those who do not follow gender stereotypes. Often an umbrella for nonbinary genders (see TGNC). Though fairly uncommon, some people view the term as derrogatory, so they may use other terms including gender expansive, differently gendered, gender creative, gender variant, genderqueer, nonbinary, agender, genderfluid, gender neutral, bigender, androgynous, or gender diverse. PFLAG National uses the term gender expansive. It is important to respect and use the terms people use for themselves, regardless of any prior associations or ideas about those terms.

For purposes of this article, we use the term gender non-conforming.  However, if you prefer another term, please let us know when you contact us and we will respect your preference.

Eligibility for Florida Gender Non-Conforming Name Change

Regardless of where you were born, if you live in the Sunshine State, Florida courts have jurisdiction to change your legal name.  You may petition for a name change if you are an adult, and a parent may petition on your behalf if you are a child.  Once your petition for change of name is filed, the request will often be granted unless a Court finds that (i) you have improper or illegal motives in seeking the name change, (ii) your civil rights are suspended (for example, by being convicted of a felony), or (iii) granting you a name change will invade the property rights (e.g., intellectual property rights) of others.

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New Legal Name - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law Firm

Changing My Transgender Child’s Legal Name

June 25, 2020/in LGBT Family Law Matters, Legal Name Change //Tags: change of name, Florida name change, LGBT custody rights, LGBT family law, LGBT family law rights, name change, Tampa Bay Name Change Attorney, transgender family law rights, transgender name change, transgender parental rights, transgender rightsby Adam

Being a supportive parent can oftentimes be challenging, but you and your transgender child may have come to the conclusion that it is time for a legal name change.  Is it possible to change a transgender child’s name to match his or her identity?

So long as both legal parents are in agreement, in most circumstances you can change your minor child’s legal name.

Petition for Change of Legal Name

In Florida, legal name changes are accomplished through the court system.  Accordingly, you will need to petition a court in the county in which you live for your child’s name change.  The petition must include information such as:

Read more →

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Lgbtq Family Law Rights M 1 - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law Firm

Why Florida LGBTQ Families Should Be Concerned About Simmonds v. Perkins

January 13, 2020/in LGBT Family Law Matters //Tags: adoption, Florida adoption, gay adoption, gay and lesbian couples, gay and lesbian parents, gay marriage, gay parental rights, gay rights, lesbian adoption, lesbian parental rights, lesbian rights, LGBT custody rights, LGBT family law, LGBT family law rights, non-relative adoption, same sex couples, same sex marriage, same-sex parents, second parent adoption, stepchild adoption, stepparent adoption, Tampa Bay Adoptionby Adam

If your child is born while you and your spouse are married, you both will always be considered the parents of the child, right?  Well, not necessarily.  LGBTQ families should be aware of their family law rights.  And according to Simmonds v. Perkins, 247 So. 3d 397 (Fla. 2018), those family law rights may be at risk.

Facts of Simmonds v. Perkins

Simmonds v. Perkins involves a Husband, a Wife, and a Biological Father.  While married to Husband, Wife has an affair with Biological Father.  Wife gets pregnant from Biological Father.  While still married to Husband, Wife gives birth to child.

Now, Biological Father did not know that Wife was married to Husband at the time of the affair, and once Biological Father did learn about the marriage, Wife told him that the marriage was only for “immigration purposes.”

After the child was born, Biological Father would visit the child regularly and paid Wife child support.  Eventually, Biological Father filed an action in court to be named the child’s legal father, have all of the rights of a father (including ability to make decisions and right to spend time with the child), and take on the obligation of child support.

Wife files a motion to dismiss the action because the child was born during an intact marriage between her and Husband.  Traditionally, that meant that there was a strong legal presumption that Husband was the legal father of the child, and it was very difficult for any third party to challenge this status.  Husband would later join as a party and also requested that his rights be respected and the case be dismissed.

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