Although it is difficult to think about the possibility of separating from your partner, the fact remains that many relationships do end, and the law often fails to accommodate the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families in times of crisis.
If you are faced with a heterosexual "ex" who insists that he or she will block you from seeing your child because you are gay or lesbian, the good news is that some judges will refuse to allow it.
There are few laws about custody and visitation on the books. However, every state has cases, rules and precedents that set the parameters by which custody cases should be decided in that state, regardless of whether the parties involved are gay or lesbian.
Once a judge enters a final custody decree a custody battle is typically closed. But there are still two ways in which the decree can be challenged and, possibly, overturned
What happens when gay dads, who have been terrific parents to foster children, want to adopt them in a state where lesbian and gay adoption is prohibited?