Obama Backs Gay Marriage-How Will It Impact the Presidential Race?

Posted on May 14, 2012 by glmain

President Obama’s announcement on Wednesday that he supports same-sex marriage has, not surprisingly, brought impassioned responses on all sides of the debate. Those who have supported gay rights and same-sex equality, who have been disappointed in what they saw as unfulfilled campaign promises, have a new sense of hope and energy. But conservative Christians, strong in their belief that the Bible defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, may also have new incentive to mobilize against President Obama.

Statistics Show a Slight Majority Favor Rights of Same-Sex Couples to Marry

In a Gallop poll released on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, the support for gay marriage was split pretty evenly. A Washington Post poll released this week indicated that 52% of those asked felt that same-sex couples should have the right to marry, and to enjoy the benefits of marriage. The New York Times reported yesterday that a PollingReport.com survey showed that 50% approved gay marriage and that 45% opposed it. A more telling statistic, though, was the finding that opposition to gay marriage has been steadily decreasing since 2004, at a rate of two to three percentage points per year.

The Impact of the President’s Announcement on the Election

Opinions are mixed on the impact that the support of gay marriage will have on President Obama’s reelection campaign. Many opposed to same-sex marriage believe it will mobilize more voters against him, but there is also strong opinion that those who oppose Obama’s views on same-sex marriage would vote against him anyway.

The President has acknowledged that the decision may cost him at the polls. In an interview with ABC news on Wednesday, May 9, he told Robin Roberts that, because of the politics of the issue, as well as the way the Electoral College works, the decision “may hurt me.” As politically risky as the mere statement of support for gay marriage was, supporters of same-sex marriage believe that the President may risk losing any political capital gained by the announcement if he does not take specific steps to follow through.

President Obama said that he had not made a public statement on gay marriage before because he believed that the availability of a civil union was sufficient, as it would allow gay partners access to most rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples. He also acknowledged a sensitivity and respect for the word “marriage” and the powerful religious and cultural connotations it carries.

It remains to be seen if the issue of gay marriage will be a central issue in the campaign. The risks are clear. With states like North Carolina, which adopted a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage this week by a three to two margin, as key states in the November election, the announcement may have long-lasting repercussions.

Contact the Law Office of Len Conner & Associates

For experienced counsel in family law matters, contact our office online or call us at 972-445-1500 (toll free at 877-613-5800). Your first consultation is free of charge.

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Determining Child Custody and Visitation in Texas

Posted on April 10, 2012 by glmain

If you are considering filing for divorce in Texas, and you have minor children, your primary concern will be the well-being of your children after the divorce is final. As a parent, you always want what is best for your children. At the same time, you want to play a meaningful role in their growth and development. This blog post identifies how child custody and visitation are determined in Texas.

Your Right to Enter into a Mutual Agreement
In Texas, the courts typically encourage the parents to negotiate an arrangement to address who has physical custody, as well as what visitation looks like. The court still has responsibility for and jurisdiction over your case, and can reject custody or visitation arrangements that it does not believe are in the best interests of your
children. When formulating a prospective plan, you will want to consider all the needs of your children, including:
• Any special health or physical needs
• Educational concerns, including where the child attends and how far each parent lives from the school, as well as any extra-curricular activities the child participates in
• Religious training or observances
If you cannot come to a mutual agreement regarding custody and visitation, the court will use its discretion, placing a premium on the best interests of your child. The court will look at a broad range of factors when issuing a custody or visitation order, such as:
• The demonstrated parenting skills of each parent
• The prior conduct of each parent, including the extent to which each parent previously provided care and nurturing
• How close each parent lives to other family members, such as grandparents
• The ability of each parent to provide a safe and healthy living environment for the child
• The preferences of the child (although the Texas courts generally do not consider the child’s wishes unless the child is at least 12 years old)
Modification of a Custody or Visitation Order
It is not uncommon for one parent to experience significant life changes that render an existing custody or visitation arrangement ineffective. A parent may have a change in employment that requires that they work during times when they previously had custody. A parent may be offered an opportunity to take a promotion with a change in location.
The same process applies when you need to amend the terms of a custody or visitation order. The best way to do this is by mutual agreement (though the changes will still have to be approved by the court). However, if you cannot agree, the court will make a determination of what is in the child’s best interests.

Contact the Law Office of Len Connor & Associates, P.C.
At our office, we provide a free initial consultation to every client. Send us an e-mail or call our office at 972-445-1500 (toll free at 877-613-5800) to set up a meeting. We are committed to providing every client with the highest levels of personal service and attention.

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Superior Personal Service and Commitments

Posted on April 10, 2012 by glmain

We are result-oriented, and we built our success through dedication and understanding our clients’ needs as well as the law and family law process. Mr. Conner intentionally limits the number of matters he handles at any given time to ensure every client receives the personal attention and dedication they deserve.

Our success is predicated on Mr. Conner’s ability to treat every client as if he were standing in their shoes. Mr. Conner personally supervises every case. He welcomes your questions and will take the time to provide you with straight answers. He does not believe in sugarcoating the truth, because he understands the importance of accurate information if informed decisions are to be made.

In addition, Mr. Conner is proactive in his communications. You will always be informed about any changes in the status of your case and any settlement offers received. Although he is often in court or mediation, Mr. Conner is cognizant of your anxiety and returns calls as promptly as possible, typically the same day.
Contact Dallas Family Law and Divorce Lawyer, Len Conner

To discuss your legal issues with Texas family law and divorce lawyer Len Conner, please call us at 972-445-1500 in the Dallas – Irving area, or toll free at 1 (877) 613-5800, to schedule a free and private consultation.

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