Articles Posted in Gay and Lesbian Estate Planning

The fight for Jacksonville equality is reaching its crescendo. The Jacksonville City Council will soon consider legislation presented to them which if passed would offer protections to the LGBT community. Currently, the Jacksonville human rights ordinance does not provide protection for the gay community. That means that those persons who are gay, lesbian, and transgender have little to no shelter from discrimination in the workplace, housing, and public accommodations.

There have been several Florida cities and municipalities that have amended or put in place legislation to protect this vulnerable segment of society. If passed the bill in Jacksonville would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Almost two weeks ago, Tampa Mayor, Bob Buckhorn signed legislation that will put into place a Domestic Partnership Registry. Similar registries exist in Palm Beach County, Miami-Dade County, and more recently Orange County.

Raising and caring for your children is difficult enough without the additional complications that arise when you are bringing up children in a same-sex relationship. Inherent rights afforded to “straight” or heterosexual couples are non-existent for gay couples. The lack of legal rights for those in relationships not recognized by the State of Florida, will effect your property rights, your health care decisions, the distribution of your assets after death, and most importantly, your children.

If you are not the legally recognized or biological parent of a child, there are several legal documents you can utilize to provide you the authority you need.

A Last Will and Testament will enable you to name your choice of guardian for your minor child in the event of your death or incapacity.

Florida Gay couples await the possibility of a seventh state to legalize gay marriage, as the Washington State Governor introduced legislation on gay marriage early this month. At a news conference Governor Chris Gregoire stated, “Our gay and lesbian families face the same hurdles as heterosexual families – making ends meet, choosing what school to send their kids to, finding someone to grow old with, standing in front of friends and family and making a lifetime commitment.”

For gay couples all over the country, including Florida, a state marriage license is very important. It gives same-sex couples the right to enter into a marriage contract in which their legal interests, and those of their children, if any, are protected by civil law.

For now, those in gay relationships in the Sunshine State will have to make do by protecting their own interests. This can be accomplished through a variety of legal documents. If you are a lesbian or gay man living in or around Jacksonville, Florida, take time to contact a Jacksonville Gay and Lesbian Issues Lawyer who focuses on LGBT documents to ensure that your rights, whether they pertain to health care, property, or your death are protected.

Jacksonville Estate Planning Attorneys working in Jacksonville Beach watch for Florida issues about gay and same-sex partner benefits.

More and more Florida counties are making positive steps by providing health care and other benefits for same-sex couples. Central Florida’s publicly owned Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) now offers Florida Domestic Partnership health care benefits for the domestic partners of their employees. Some nationwide companies that do business in Florida likewise provide same-sex partner benefits.

Despite the fact that Florida does not recognize gay marriage, newly-released U.S. Census figures, show nearly 6,800 same sex couples call the Sunshine State home. That’s based on how many gay couples checked the “husband” or “wife” options. The Census bureau also reported an estimate of the number of same sex couples in Florida, both married and unmarried, at 48,456.

As of September 20th 2011,the old “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule that has been in force for about 18 years is gone. The end of this policy marks a victory for Mayport gay and lesbian military personnel.

Now Mayport gay sailors and soldiers who don’t have to fear the loss of their military career because of their sexual orientation can feel free to obtain the legal advice and

LGBT legal documents

The grandson of the late evangelist Oral Roberts has “come out” as a gay man. Courageous move for a man that comes from a devout and famous evangelical family. Although he and his family have minimal contact, their opposing views as to living a gay lifestyle has them at opposite ends of the spectrum (the rainbow spectrum).

This is a familiar pattern for many Orange Park and Jacksonville gay and lesbian individuals. Families can’t and won’t accept their lifestyle. Communication is the first key, but often times that does not work. Living in a same-sex relationship often involves thinking about your partner and your future together. Because same-sex relationships are not a legally recognized union in Florida, it is important to talk with an Orange Park Estate Planning Attorney sensitive to the concerns of the LGBT community. There are many avenues and legal documents that enable you to be in control of who will make future health and financial decisions in the event of your incapacity.

Florida Estate planning can help protect your same-sex partners and their children. This can help avoid disputes between your family and your parents and siblings

Provincetown, Massachusetts is the new LGBT place to be.

The Williams Institute of Census has said that South Florida is one of the top spots for LGBT population Growth. Florida is the last state to declare the ban on gay adoption as unconstitutional.

According to the 2010 Census, Florida has approximately 65,601 same-sex couple households, a 60 percent leap since the 2000 Census. Read more about same-sex couple household statistics.