Transgender Family Law

Transgender people have unique needs and vulnerabilities in the family law context. Any family law attorney engaged in representing transgender clients must know the ins and outs of this rapidly developing area of law. Transgender Family Law: A Guide to Effective Advocacy is the first book to comprehensively address legal issues facing transgender people in the family law context and provide practitioners the tools to effectively represent transgender clients. The chapters address a broad range of topics, including: • Culturally Competent Representation • Recognition of Name and Sex • Relationship Recognition and Protections • Protecting Parental Rights • Relationship Dissolution • Parental Rights after Relationship Dissolution • Custody Disputes Involving Transgender Children • Protections for Transgender Youth • Intimate Partner Violence • Estate Planning and Elder Law Transgender Family Law: A Guide to Effective Advocacy is written by attorneys with expertise in both family law and advocacy for transgender clients, including: Kylar W. Broadus, Patience Crozier, Benjamin L. Jerner, Michelle B. LaPointe, Jennifer L. Levi, Morgan Lynn, Shannon Price Minter, Elizabeth E. Monnin-Browder, Zack M. Paakkonen, Terra Slavin, Wayne A. Thomas Jr., Deborah H. Wald, and Janson Wu. This is a must-have, practical guide for attorneys interested in becoming effective advocates for their clients. It is also a valuable resource to consult for any transgender person who is forming, expanding, or dissolving a family relationship. “Some of the most heartbreaking stories I have heard in my career as an LGBT legal advocate involve transgender people in family courts,” says Jennifer L. Levi, a nationally recognized expert on transgender legal issues and co-editor of Transgender Family Law: A Guide to Effective Advocacy. “The rights of transgender people – as parents, spouses, and simply as human beings – are often trammeled in family court because of pervasive bias and misunderstanding. This book is a road map for transgender individuals and their attorneys to navigate the family court system in this evolving area of law.” Jennifer’s co-editor, attorney Elizabeth E. Monnin-Browder, adds: “This book tackles a cutting edge area of family law and we’re thrilled to have contributions from some of this country’s most well-respected experts in this field. It details the unique needs and vulnerabilities of transgender people in the family law context. I hope transgender people will read and share it with their attorneys as they plan a family, navigate the dissolution of a relationship or a custody dispute, or simply seek to protect their rights and those of their children.” What people are saying: “An outstanding book with contributions from some of the most respected and knowledgeable practitioners in an area of family law that, until now, has been largely uncharted. Those who read Transgender Family Law: A Guide to Effective Advocacy will learn from the experts how best to advocate for clients whose rights are, sadly, all too often overlooked.” - Julie Greenberg, Professor of Law, Thomas Jefferson Law School “As more and more transgender people come out and claim their rights, Transgender Family Law: A Guide to Effective Advocacy has come along at just the right time. Any transgender person who is facing a family law issue should hand a copy of this book to their attorney.” - Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality “This is a groundbreaking book. Family law deals with deeply personal issues that can be uniquely challenging for trans people, who are already extremely vulnerable in the legal system because of pervasive bias and misunderstanding. This is required reading for family law practitioners seeking to provide effective representation for our community.” - Joanne Herman, author of Transgender Explained For Those Who Are Not “Clear and comprehensive, this text brings together some of the most knowledgeable and respected legal minds working in the field of American transgender family law. An indispensible resource for litigators and scholars seeking practical, effective wisdom. “ - Jamison Green, PhD, author, educator, transgender activist