Domestic Partnerships

Domestic Partnerships

Registered domestic partners enjoy many of the same rights and obligations as people who have entered into a traditional marriage. At Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri, our attorneys are committed to representing same-sex couples who have entered into domestic partnerships.

Experienced Domestic Partnership Lawyers

The state of California enacted the nation’s first domestic partnership registry in 1999. Since then, California has continually expanded the rights granted to domestic partners. California legislature enactments and judicial case law have dealt with a wide range of family law issues involving same-sex relationships, and Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri has been on the forefront of representing clients in these matters.

We recognize that the dissolution of a domestic partnership is no less stressful than traditional divorce. There are few legal distinctions between domestic partnership and marriage under current California law. To the extent that domestic partnership laws differ with respect to issues of property division, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support and paternity, Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri has the knowledge and expertise to handle these distinctions and obtain favorable results for clients.

In addition to handling issues related to the dissolution of domestic partnerships, we are committed to helping draft agreements that protect the businesses and assets of people entering into domestic partnerships.

Child Custody and Domestic Partnerships

One of the most complicated issues in the dissolution of a domestic partnership is often the custody of children. In many cases, one partner carries or adopts the child and the other partner never becomes a legal parent of the child. Our attorneys have significant experience in child custody matters involving the legal rights of nonbiological parents in relation to the dissolution of a domestic partnership and we are committed to helping clients protect the best interests of their children.