The Complete Gay Divorce

Although gay wedding books seem to be on every bookshelf these days, this is the first title to explain the process of ending a gay relationship. Just like straight couples, gay couples do break up!

Ending a gay partnership or marriage can be confusing, emotionally draining, and legally challenging. With the hodgepodge of gay union laws across the country, it can be difficult to know what your rights are or where and how to get help dissolving your committed relationship. The Complete Gay Divorce explains, in straightforward, easy-to-understand language, how to end a civil union, marriage, or domestic partnership, as well as your rights concerning the division of assets and debts and the payment of spousal and child support. The book also tackles the question of whether or not you have anything to dissolve if you were married in a state in which gay marriages were later overturned.

And because most gay couples have no formalized union at all, The Complete Gay Divorce explains your rights when you end a non-legalized relationship—how to divide belongings and debts, get on your feet financially, and create a plan for living apart. It also explains laws about custody and child support that pertain to gay parents, and gives practical advice to those who may not be considered "legal" parents of the children in the relationship.

The Complete Gay Divorce not only explains your legal rights but also shows you how to access and apply them— whether in divorce and family court, small claims court, mediation, or even at home over the kitchen table. Its detailed appendices include state laws and forms, as well as listings of helpful support groups. And because ending a relationship is not just about bank accounts and court papers, The Complete Gay Divorce also explains how to cope with the unraveling of your partnership, find support, and obtain closure during this difficult time in your life.

Brette McWhorter Sember is a retired attorney and mediator who has authored 17 self-help books, including Gay and Lesbian Legal Rights, a Ben Franklin Award Finalist which is a featured alternate of InsightOutBooks and was selected by Quality Paperback Book Club. Her work has appeared in more than 140 publications, including Divorce Magazine, American Baby, Writer’s Digest and Home Business Journal. She is a contributing writer for ePregnancy Magazine. She lives in New York State with her family.