NON-TRADITIONAL FAMILIES (FAMILIES IN FACT)

Although current Wisconsin and federal law does not adequately protect the rights of non-traditional families, there are some important legal tools you can use to ensure that you and your loved ones are recognized as a family to the extent possible under existing law.

Good estate planning can help you make sure that your partner inherits your home and estate at your death. It can also permit you to have legal access to your partner’s health care records if he or she is incapacitated. Wills, powers of attorney, and cohabitation agreements are all critical for unmarried partners who want to have some of the rights that married partners can take for granted.

Balisle & Roberson, S.C. also helps unmarried partners achieve amicable resolution when their relationships dissolve, represents parties in grandparent visitation disputes, and tries cases involving step-parent rights. The attorneys of Balisle & Roberson, S.C. have argued numerous cases involving non-traditional families at both the trial court and the appellate levels, including the landmark cases In re: Custody of H.S.H-K., 193 Wis. 2d 649 (1995) and In Interest of A.E.H., 161 Wis. 2d 277 (1991).

Further information about the legal rights of same-sex partners and non-traditional families is available from the following organizations: