Domestic Partnerships

Richmond Domestic Partners Lawyers

Unmarried domestic partners, "alternative families" and single parents need legal protection. Our broad-based and dynamic law firm in Glen Allen, the Innsbrook Law Group, can supply it in the Richmond area. When you trust in our experience, reputation and results to handle your partnership agreement or domestic contract, you'll understand our practice of exceeding clients' expectations.

If children are involved, it is always wise for domestic partners to name guardians. We can provide much-needed assistance in the areas of domestic partner, second parent and step-parent adoptions. We can file requests for name changes, see to it that your adoption is legally finalized and complete TPR (termination of parental rights) paperwork.

Contact our suburban Richmond law offices today for help with establishing your domestic partnership or defending your rights when post-relationship child custody issues arise.

Domestic Partnership Defined

A domestic partnership is a relationship formalized by a legal contract between two competent adults. The parties to the agreement can be of opposite sexes or the same sex. A domestic partnership contract spells out the means of support for one or both parties during and after the relationship, determines asset allocation and covers other issues that the parties want to resolve in advance of any potential dispute.

Parenting Agreements

In Virginia, same-sex couples can jointly adopt a child, or one partner can adopt the biological offspring of the other. In cases like these, we usually recommend a parenting agreement to protect all concerned. Otherwise only one partner will be recognized as a legal parent and the other partner will have few if any legal rights with respect to the children.

A number of court rulings on these matters provide that a person has no parenting rights regarding the child of their partner, even if considerable contributions were made to the child's development, health, education and the like. Regardless of such contributions, if the relationship ends the legal parent retains the absolute right to cut off all contact between the former partner and the child.

After a breakup, our skilled Virginia domestic partnership attorneys will do their best to see that an existing parenting agreement is enforced, including visitation rights. If there isn't such an agreement, we'll work hard and argue passionately for a second parent's desire to remain in the life of the child, to whatever degree possible.

Call, Fax or E-Mail Us

With legal domestic partnerships on the rise, our attorneys stay alert for any updates in the laws that affect them. We can advise you about your every legal need, from parenting agreements to dissolution of the relationship and relevant financial issues. Contact our Glen Allen law offices today to schedule a free half-hour initial consultation.