Same Sex Disputes

Attorney Kathleen Reiley often helps couples in a same sex relationship resolve their disputes about property, children and the issues that arise during a break-up.

Wisconsin Law & Same Sex Relationships

Wisconsin law does not recognize same sex marriages, so the laws that typically apply to divorce and dissolution of marriage do not apply to those in a same sex relationship.

Recently the voters of the state of Wisconsin passed a state constitutional amendment presented to the voters as follows: "Marriage. Shall section 13 of article XIII of the constitution be created to provide that only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state and that a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state?"

The passage of this amendment may have a potentially sweeping impact on unmarried cohabiting and separating couples, whether they are same sex or opposite sex couples, including in areas of property, debt, health insurance benefits that were previously offered by employers to employees in civil unions, access to sick or dying partners. It remains to be seen how if at all this amendment will affect the rights of children to access to same sex adults who have been significant in their support and rearing. The paternity statutes will protect the children who are the children of a mother and father who are splitting.

The case law on which cohabiting couples have previously been able to rely will no doubt be challenged and new law will have to be made in the coming years as the citizens of this State experience the true impact of this amendment.

Attorney Kathleen Reiley - Mediation

For many years, Attorney Kathleen Reiley has been the "go to" Wisconsin family law attorney for same sex couples who have disputes that they want or need to resolve and those couples who are going through a break-up. She has been a legal advisor to same sex couples. If you are in a relationship with a person of the same sex and need an attorney to help you resolve property, custody, support or maintenance types of issues, or mediate any other matter for you, please contact the law offices of Attorney Kathy Reiley.

Wisconsin Law Addresses Gay Marriage Rights

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