By Frederick Hertz & Emily Doskow
Published by Nolo
KF 539 .A15 L45 2020
Authors Frederick Hertz and Lina Guillen begin the introduction to their book, A Legal Guide for Lesbian & Gay Couples, with “[t]his is a book about family values, and about the value of family.” It is designed to help couples navigate relationships and the issues that these partnerships or unions may produce or trigger. Because this is a book about family values, it is only fitting that the authors begin with the definition of family and how that definition has evolved into a more inclusive and neutral definition. This is followed by a discussion of practical matters that families may face, including financial issues, renting or buying a home together, healthcare decisions, and estate planning, plus issues dealing with separations and dissolutions. For gay and lesbian couples, the chapter dealing with parentage and the steps that may be necessary to establish legal parentage, especially for those deemed “second parents,” is of great importance, especially because this is an area of law that is constantly evolving.
Couples may not think that they need a relationship manual. However, A Legal Guide for Lesbian & Gay Couples is filled with lots of helpful information about the financial and legal aspects of a relationship, information that they should not be without.