The Divorce Center to Host Program on Same-Sex Marriage, Parenting and Divorce in Newton MA

The Divorce Center, a non-profit organization of professionals from multiple disciplines providing support and education for people going through separation or divorce, is hosting a professional development and networking program entitled "Same-Sex Marriage, Parentage, and Divorce Post-Obergefell" on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Newton Marriot, 2345 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA. The program will be led by Joyce Kauffman, Esq., an attorney specializing in family law, co-parent adoption, and mediation, with an emphasis on legal issues affecting LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) families.

Kauffman will discuss the impact of the Obergefell decision on the LGBT community. Following the Supreme Court's decision that all states must recognize and allow same-sex marriage, the legal landscape for lesbian and gay couples has made a seismic shift. Despite this ground-breaking decision, same-sex couples continue to face legal hurdles, not only in the recognition of relationships, but in the determination of parentage and custody, the factors involved in determining an equitable division of assets, social security benefits, the potential for bigamy, the need to dissolve all prior legal relationships, and more. Also, just as with heterosexuals, not all same-sex couples will marry, which requires addressing the issues that will inevitably arise regarding property and, more importantly, children.

Offered to all professionals supporting divorcing and separating couples (e.g. attorneys, mediators, financial planners, social workers, and counselors), this program includes a full buffet breakfast and opportunities for networking. The program fee is $30 for The Divorce Center members and $40 for non-members when pre-registering by September 17. After September 17, the fee is $35 for The Divorce Center members and $45 for non-members.

For more information and to register for this program, visit http://thedivorcecenter.org/events/event/same-sex-marriage-parentage-divorce-post-obergefell/