Frequently Asked Questions and Resources

Please see our summary here of things you can do NOW to legally protect yourself and your family. https://chosenfamilylawcenter.org/protect-your-family

https://chosenfamilylawcenter.org/gender-markers-faq

https://chosenfamilylawcenter.org/adoption-and-parentage

CFLC has helped to pass new legislation in 4 U.S. cities that protect polyamorous and other chosen family forms from legal discrimination.  The comprehensive Legislative Advocacy Toolkit for non-monogamy rights, created in partnership with Chosen Family Law Center, Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic, Modern Family Institute, and Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition, empowers communities to pass non-discrimination protections in their city or town. 

Inside you'll find:
• Step-by-step organizing guides
• Legislative process overviews
• Template outreach language
• Messaging strategies
• Case studies from successful campaigns
• Coalition-building tactics

Visit https://hlslgbtq.org/polyamory-legislative-toolkit to access the full toolkit and watch the training video on how to get started making legislative change in your community!

It’s reasonable to be anxious that a second Trump term will mean the end of gay marriage. We have received so many emails from community members asking some version of: What does this mean for my marriage? Read more:  

https://chosenfamilylawcenter.org/same-sex-marriage

https://chosenfamilylawcenter.org/project-2025

Do you have questions about the legal aspects of purchasing a home or property with chosen family?  Check out this beautiful how-to guide created together by Chosen Family Law Center, the Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition (PLAC), and the LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic at Harvard Law:  

https://harvard.turtl.co/story/how-to-buy-property-with-chosen-family/page/1

What does the new rent stabilization ruling in West 49th St. LLC v. O’Neill mean for New York City families? How do you know if your family qualifies to pass on a rent stabilized apartment?

https://chosenfamilylawcenter.org/rent-stabilization-faq

https://chosenfamilylawcenter.org/safety-and-coming-out

If you are low-income and in the state of New York, please visit our GET HELP page to find out if you are eligible and to request services.  https://chosenfamilylawcenter.org/request-services

We currently provide following services for low-income residents of the state of New York:

• Name and Gender Marker Changes on identity documents 
• Will and Estate Documents including Powers of Attorney and Medical Advance Directives 
• Known Donor Agreements 
• Family Formation documents such as Co-Habitation and Co-Parenting Agreements
• Parentage Petitions for nonbiological parents
• Asylee Adjustment of Status (Green Card) for those who have already been granted asylum for LGBTQIA+ reasons

We do NOT provide any of the following: 

Immigration, Discrimination, Workplace/Empoyment Issues, Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Housing Rights, Medical Rights, Education/DOE issues, Beneficiary of a Will, Family Disputes, Domestic Violence, Restraining Orders, or Harassment. If you need these services or are not in our service areas in New York, please see the additional listings at the bottom of the GET HELP page for links to assistance for those cases.

Check out our News and Media Page , and be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on socials for announcements about our upcoming programming such as public talks, name change clinics, Continuing Legal Education, fundraisers, and other events.

https://chosenfamilylawcenter.org/contact-us