Supporting LGBTQ+ Families in Maryland | TNS Family Law
At TNS Family Law, we believe every family deserves protection, dignity, and stability — whatever that family looks like.
Family Law for LGBTQ+ Families in Maryland
Maryland has recognized same-sex marriage since 2013, and the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges extended that nationwide in 2015. But marriage equality did not resolve every question LGBTQ+ families face in family court. Parentage in particular remains an area where the law is still developing, and where the answers depend heavily on the specific facts of how a family was formed.
Maryland courts have addressed these questions directly. In Conover v. Conover, the Supreme Court of Maryland recognized de facto parenthood as a basis for seeking custody or visitation — a decision with real consequences for non-biological parents. In E.N. v. T.R., the Court addressed whether de facto parent status can be established when only one of two legal parents consented to the relationship.
Where These Questions Come Up
The matters we see most often involve:
- Parentage and de facto parenthood — establishing legal recognition of a parent-child relationship
- Second-parent and stepparent adoption — securing parentage in a way that travels across state lines
- Custody and access — including third-party custody where a non-legal parent seeks standing
- Divorce and property division — including how courts treat relationships that predate the legal availability of marriage
- Agreements — co-parenting agreements, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
Whatever Your Family Looks Like
Whether you’re navigating marriage, separation, or anything in between, we’re here for your family.
Contact our Towson office to schedule a consultation, or meet our team.