Review of: A Legal Guide for Gay & Lesbian Couples -- Anonymous

Review of: A Legal Guide for Gay & Lesbian Couples (could also apply to heterosexuals).
Publisher: Nolo Press (www.nolo.com). 10th edition. $25.95

“This book provides a legal road map for anyone looking for guidance toward protecting his or her family”
– Elizabeth Birch, Atty. Dir. Human Rights Campaign
and Roberta Achtenberg was a contributor on the contents.

This book is an easy to read, text-book like example of numerous legal documents one may need through life such as: Wills, Codicils, Living Together Contracts, Pooling Financial Resources model, Medical Directives, Child Support & Parenting, Parenting Agreement, Donor Insemination Agreement, ideas to consider when appointing an Executor for your Estate/Will, and more, It explains legal (and personal) concerns and issues clearly often with real-life examples of situations behind the concerns. The history of attempts to legalize same-sex marriage is told, starting with the Minnesota case of Baker vs. Nelson, 1971 up to the present State of Vermont efforts.

Topics covered include:

Chpt 5 – Breaking Up with Kids, after either a heterosexual or homosexual relationship.

Chpt 6 – Living Together Contracts: 50/50 split, share & share alike; Splitting up Choices: use of mediation, binding arbitration, or litigation; what happens, pros/cons of each process.

Chpt 7 – Buying a House Together: how to figure how much house you realistically can afford with sample monthly payments, ways to title ownership. A contract for ownership that Includes ideas to separate ownership should the relationship end crone dies. Should you “just add your lover” to the Deed?

Chpt 8 – Heterosexual Marriages, the Aftermath: (all in only 19 pages ! ?)

Chpt 9 – Separating/“Divorcing” Rules of How to: for married and “un-married” couples, stages of separation, solution ideas for problems with: jointly signed apartment leases, jointly owned real estate, other assets, children, pets.

Throughout the authors offer suggestions for ways to conserve your cash! In closing they suggest you ask an attorney to review the documents you’ve drafted. They state: “Wisdom from those who have been through the relationship dissolution process is compromise, compromise and compromise. Remember your X was someone you truly loved and that things are only things. A battle over finances will generally enrich only the lawyers; and rarely brings any degree of happiness or emotional satisfaction.”

There is also a fine ending reference section covering, among subjects: how to select and talk with an attorney: Gay, Lesbian and AIDS legal resources; and sample Commitment Certificates; as well as several national and regional sources if you want to become more politically involved to help make this a nation of “Liberty and Justice for all.”