FAMILY MATTERS LEGAL CLINIC
What is the Family Matters clinic?
The QLaw Foundation Family Matters Clinic is a legal clinic that helps LGBTQ+ families get court orders affirming their legal parental relationship to the children they are raising. Some families receive full representation, working with an attorney from start to finish, and others may opt for partial representation, working with an attorney to review paperwork and/or support the family in court. Important: this clinic cannot assist with parenting plan or custody disputes. We recommend you make an appointment with our LGBTQ+ Legal Clinic for advice and referrals about disputes between parents.
How do I know what kind of legal protection my family needs?
You might have done your own research already and have a pretty good idea of what types of court orders you want. You might even have gotten a free consultation at one of our LGBTQ+ Legal Clinics! But if you’re not sure, that’s okay too – our attorneys can help you figure out what is best for you.
Where can I find an overview of my family’s legal options?
If you’d like an overview of LGBTQ+ families in Washington and the legal processes available to protect our families, watch our community outreach webinar!
How long will it take?
Depending on the family’s needs, court processes can take anywhere from approximately one month (e.g. confirmation of parentage order) to several months (e.g. de facto parentage, second or third parent adoptions). Importantly, families should plan to spend several hours over the course of the proceedings completing required paperwork.
How soon can we start?
If you would like your family to receive legal help through the Family Matters clinic, please complete our registration form. You will receive a follow-up contact with information about the first clinic within two weeks. Please be sure your contact information on the form is correct.
If you have any questions or issues with registration, please contact us at info@qlawfoundation.org
Other Legal Assistance
QLaw Foundation regularly assists individuals, organizations, or coalitions with their legal needs. This can include advocacy letters, litigation support, amicus briefing, or co-counseling. More than anything, we want to see Washington’s LGBTQ+ communities thrive – so if you need a legal organization on your side, reach out to info@qlawfoundation.org or 206-483-2725!
