Experienced LGBTQ+ Attorneys in Arkansas Working Hard To Protect Your Rights

The laws surrounding the LGBTQ+ community have changed over the years for the better. There are now more laws in place to protect your rights; however, navigating these complex laws can feel overwhelming at times. Working with a firm that has experience and knowledge in these specific areas can be of great benefit to you.

Whether you feel you have been discriminated against in the workplace, need help with estate planning, have experienced a hate crime, want to learn about what adoption options you have or have questions about other common scenarios that you may be up against, we can help. Contact OMG Law Firm today at 870-336-6505 to learn more about what your rights are and how we can help. We look forward to your call.

How Can I Protect Myself and My Family For the Future and During Emergencies?

People often find planning for the future or during times of emergencies to be overwhelming, and therefore they sometimes forego this necessary step in life. Estate planning can ensure that you and your loved ones receive needed care, can specify the medical care you wish to receive should something happen to you, and that in the event of your death, your assets will be allocated appropriately. As new laws have now been put in place to recognize the rights of same-sex couples, you may want to learn more about where to begin.

Having things in place such as a final will and testament is crucial to the future of your family should something happen to you. It can stipulate where finances should be allocated, as well as indicate who will have custody over minor children should you pass away. You can also set up a Power of Attorney (POA) for finances or healthcare that allows the designated person of your choice to make decisions on your behalf.

What Are My Options if I Feel I’ve Been Discriminated Against at My Workplace?

If you feel you were treated differently in the workplace due to your sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status, you have rights, and there are laws in place to protect you. Some of the most common kinds of LGBTQ+ discrimination we see are denied promotions, a hostile work environment, sexual harassment, discriminatory insurance policies, wrongful termination, and more.

If you feel that you are experiencing discrimination, there are a couple of things that you can do. Document everything that occurs as quickly as you can so that the information is freshly recorded. Record any evidence that you have that supports your feeling of discrimination. Keep records of events or discussions as best as you can. Documentation can also include past performance reviews, how your co-workers and employers know of your orientation, identity, or HIV status, or if there has been a pattern with other employees being discriminated against.

Seek the help of a knowledgeable attorney in Arkansas that has experience dealing with LGBTQ+ matters. Their familiarity with the laws and your rights are beneficial, as is their understanding of the emotions involved in these situations and how they can best be your advocate.

What if I want a Prenup?

Getting a prenuptial agreement is not a new notion, but it may be something that has been taken for granted by people that aren’t part of the LGBTQ+ community. With the Supreme Court Decision in 2015 to allow same-sex marriage comes the options of marriage, divorce, prenups, and more.

Having a prenup in place can make some of us nervous, but it doesn’t have to be this way. It can be a great tool used to realistically discuss your future should things not work out and how to move forward amicably before the emotions are intense as they can typically be when discussing divorce. Couples work together with an attorney to draw up a legal document that discusses how their assets will be divided should they divorce, as well as other topics like how alimony is to be handled. This can be especially important in the state of Arkansas, as alimony is determined by the courts in this state based on the length of your marriage. If you haven’t been able to be legally married for very long in the state, this can affect how alimony is calculated. Having alimony stipulated in the prenup allows you to come up with a plan that works for both of you for your future, rather than relying on the courts to decide for you.

Why Hire an LGBTQ+ Attorney?

There is a range of complex laws and rights that surround the LGBTQ+ community, and they are quickly evolving as more and more rights are being recognized or protected. This can mean that an attorney that doesn’t have a long history of experience in dealing with the ever-changing legislation may not be the best fit to handle your specific questions or the intricate details of your situation. This can lead to more time on their end to prepare and research, which can also lead to more costs.

An experienced attorney that has years of diligent work under their belts in helping those in the LGBTQ+ community can understand better what your concerns and fears are, as well as efficiently strategize with you as to how to handle your situation moving forward.

Contact one of our LGBTQ+ attorneys today in our Jonesboro, Arkansas offices at 870-336-6505 to get started. You can rest easy knowing that you are in good hands with  family attorneys who not only have knowledge of but respect for the LGBTQ+ community. We look forward to your call.