our firm
At Hopper Hopper & Strebe, we recognize that same-sex couples and LGBTQIA+ families deserve legal representation that honors their relationships and protects their rights. With over 40 years of combined experience in California family law, our San Francisco same-sex marriage attorneys have guided countless LGBT couples through marriage, divorce, custody disputes, and property division with sensitivity and strategic advocacy.
Our Expertise
Our San Francisco same-sex marriage lawyers provide full-service legal representation for LGBTQIA+ individuals and families across all aspects of California family law.
California law grants same-sex couples the right to marry with full legal recognition. For couples who entered domestic partnerships before marriage equality was recognized, our experienced San Francisco same-sex marriage attorneys can help you understand your legal options, including converting your partnership to marriage or maintaining your current status.
When a marriage or domestic partnership ends, California's family law statutes apply equally to all couples. Our attorneys handle all aspects of same-sex divorce, including property division, spousal support, and child custody. We work to protect your rights and achieve fair outcomes during this difficult transition.
Establishing and protecting parental rights is often more complex for same-sex couples, especially when children were born through surrogacy, adoption, or assisted reproduction. We help legal parents secure custody and visitation rights, and we assist non-biological parents in establishing their legal connection to the children they're raising.
California is a community property state, meaning assets acquired during marriage are typically divided equally. Our skilled San Francisco same-sex marriage lawyers work with same-sex couples to identify and value all marital property, including real estate, retirement accounts, and business interests, ensuring fair distribution under California law.
Whether you're seeking alimony or facing a partner support claim, our family law attorneys will analyze your income, earning capacity, and the length of your relationship to advocate for a fair support arrangement.
We help fathers establish legal parentage under California's Uniform Parentage Act and protect their rights in related custody, visitation, and child support matters. Securing legal recognition as a parent gives you the standing to participate in decisions about your child's care, schedule, and welfare.
Connect with our San Francisco same-sex marriage attorneys today. Schedule your free consultation and get the personalized guidance you deserve.
California offers same-sex couples two legally recognized paths for formalizing their relationship: marriage and registered domestic partnership. Both provide significant legal protections under California family law, but they differ in how they are established, how federal benefits apply, and how they are dissolved. Understanding these distinctions is an important first step for any LGBTQIA+ couple in San Francisco considering their legal options.
California's Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act took effect on January 1, 2005, granting registered domestic partners the same state-level rights, benefits, and obligations extended to married couples under California family law.
Protections available to registered domestic partners include:
While the legal responsibilities are largely the same as marriage, key differences remain at the federal level. Our dedicated San Francisco same-sex marriage attorneys at Hopper Hopper & Strebe can help you understand how the Act applies to your same-sex marriage, domestic partnership, or LGBTQIA+ family law matter and what it means for your legal and financial planning.
Same-sex couples in San Francisco who are not ready to marry or prefer an alternative legal structure can register a domestic partnership with the California Secretary of State.
To be eligible for a domestic partnership in California, both partners must meet the following requirements:
Because domestic partnership statutes do not include every presumption that applies to marriage, our San Francisco same-sex marriage lawyers recommend that couples also adopt a written agreement defining their legal rights and financial obligations should the partnership end.
Because a domestic partnership is a legally recognized union under California family law, it must be formally dissolved when the relationship ends. The domestic partnership dissolution process addresses the same core issues as a same-sex divorce in San Francisco.
Issues that must be resolved during domestic partnership dissolution include:
If you hold both a registered domestic partnership and a same-sex marriage, both must be dissolved, though California allows this in a single consolidated action. Our skilled San Francisco same-sex marriage attorneys guide clients through every stage of the process to ensure a fair, compliant outcome.
Under current California and federal law, there is no legal distinction between a same-sex marriage and an opposite-sex marriage when it comes to divorce. Same-sex couples in San Francisco seeking a dissolution must follow the same process, meet the same residency requirements, and resolve the same issues around property division, custody, and support.
However, same-sex divorce cases often involve additional complexities that require experienced legal counsel, including:
Our San Francisco same-sex marriage specialists at Hopper Hopper & Strebe can help you resolve these unique circumstances and ensure that your same-sex divorce is handled with the care and legal precision your case requires.
While marriage equality brought significant progress, LGBTQ+ families still encounter specific legal challenges that require experienced representation.
If you entered a domestic partnership before same-sex marriage became legal, dissolving that partnership follows different procedures than divorce. We help clients understand their legal options and guide them through the process of terminating a domestic partnership or converting it to a marriage.
Many same-sex couples build families through co-parenting agreements, known donors, or multi-parent arrangements. These non-traditional family structures require careful legal planning to protect everyone's parental rights and prevent future disputes.
When only one parent has a biological connection to the child, establishing legal parentage for the non-biological parent is essential. Without legal recognition, you may face challenges with custody, visitation, and decision-making authority if the relationship ends or if your partner passes away.
Although same-sex marriages are recognized nationwide, couples who moved to California from states with different laws may face questions about when their marriage began or how premarital assets should be treated. Our attorneys can help resolve these jurisdictional issues.
Our family law attorneys have a deep command of California's statutes. We simplify this process, helping you understand every stage from filing the petition to obtaining the final court judgment.
Same-sex couples can marry in California following the same process as any other couple. You'll obtain a marriage license from the county clerk, have a ceremony performed by an authorized officiant, and file the signed license to receive your marriage certificate.
To file for divorce in San Francisco, you or your spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in San Francisco County for at least three months. California law requires a six-month waiting period before your divorce can be finalized. The divorce process includes: Filing the petition for dissolution of marriage; Serving your spouse with divorce papers; Exchanging financial disclosures about assets, debts, and income; Negotiating or mediating disputes related to property, custody, and support; Reaching a settlement agreement or proceeding to trial; Obtaining a final judgment from the court. Our family law attorneys represent clients through every step, working to achieve fair outcomes while minimizing conflict and stress.
Voices of Trust and Confidence
“I highly, highly recommend Hopper Hopper & Strebe! I was served by my ex spouse and their atty for a divorce. My ex had an atty who absolutely wasn’t doing anything for an entire year. I hired Hopper Hopper & Strebe and Jessica and her staff got my divorce done fast!! Her and…”
Ann Puig
why us
Hopper Hopper & Strebe offers client-centered representation, building a legal strategy around your specific needs and treating every family, regardless of structure, orientation, or identity, with the utmost dignity and respect.
We treat every client with dignity and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or family structure.
No two families are alike. We take time to understand your specific situation, goals, and concerns, then develop a legal strategy tailored to your needs.
We keep you informed at every stage of your case, answer your questions promptly, and ensure you understand your legal options before making important decisions.
faq
Not necessarily. Some couples choose to maintain their domestic partnership, while others prefer to dissolve it and formalize their relationship through marriage. We can help you understand the legal implications of each option.
The non-biological parent should establish legal parentage through second-parent adoption or a parentage judgment. This ensures both parents have equal legal rights and protections, including custody and visitation rights if you separate.
California applies community property laws equally to all married couples. Assets acquired during marriage are typically divided equally, while separate property remains with the original owner.
California courts may consider the length of your relationship before marriage when determining issues like property division and support, especially if you had a domestic partnership or lived together as a committed couple.
Our locations
Based in San Francisco, our law firm proudly represents same-sex couples and LGBTQIA+ families throughout Northern California, including:
by appointment only
555 Capitol Mall, Suite 785, Sacramento CA 95814
by appointment only
916 Highland Pointe Drive, Suite 250, Roseville CA 95678
El Dorado Hills
Placerville
by appointment only
5170 Golden Foothill Pkwy, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
by appointment only
100 Pine Street, Suite 1250, San Francisco, CA 94111
contact us
Whether you're planning to marry, facing separation, or seeking to protect your parental rights, Hopper Hopper & Strebe is here to help. Contact our experienced San Francisco same-sex marriage attorneys today to discuss your legal options and start building a plan for your family's future.
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