LGBTQ+ Legal Services

The breakdown of any relationship can be a daunting and emotionally difficult experience for anyone. Our LGBTQ+ solicitors are experts in the field and here to guide and advise on divorce, financial settlements, and arrangements for children.

If you require legal advice, whether it be in relation to a pre-nuptial/ pre-civil partnership agreement, cohabitation agreement, arrangements for children or help as a result of domestic abuse, our team are not only experts in UK law, but recognise and understand matters which concern the LGBTQ+ community and the specific challenges that these may present.

Hanne & Co are recognised as having one of the top teams of family and divorce solicitors in London.  A team dedicated to the client’s best interests and one that encourages communication rather than confrontation considering the needs of the whole family, particularly the children. Our team are Resolution members with solicitors on key specialist panels, being highly experienced in resolving issues that arise at times of family breakdown or crisis.

Examples of how we can help:

• Child arrangements – assisting parents, including same-sex couples to reach agreements on arrangements for children following separation.
• Divorce & Civil Partnership Dissolution & Annulment – providing tailored advice to help guide you through the process and in particular, advise on the financial consequences if you have finances to be shared.
• Abuse in relationships– providing you with advice on the available options to protect yourself from emotional, physical, financial or sexual abuse.
• Pre-nuptial, post nuptials and cohabitation agreements– providing the necessary legal protection in terms of your assets and wealth including for partners who chose not to marry.
• Domestic and international Surrogacy and Fertility issues– helping clients expand their families and navigate through the legal complexities.
• Social services involvement- we have a large department who can assist you if social services become involved with your family.
• Special Guardianship- providing parental responsibility and support to a non-parent to care for a child without severing legal ties with the birth family.

We are experienced in dealing with very sensitive, personal and often challenging issues. We can help advise in relation to planning you and your family’s future with a Will, Inheritance Tax planning, Lasting Power of Attorney and proper estate planning for LGBTQ+ individuals. Although civil partners are entitled to the same property and pension rights as married couples, including certain inheritance and tax benefits, it is important to note that cohabiting couples do not automatically benefit under the rules of intestacy on the death of their partner and are often left with nothing.

It is therefore vital to have a Will in place if you are not married or in a civil partnership to ensure your estate passes as you wish and that anyone you want to provide for is mentioned. We are aware that sadly within the LGBTQ+ community some families do not always accept their relative has left their estate to their partner. Issues can also become more complex when there are step- children, informally adopted children and surrogacy involved.

We offer reliable and expert advice in order to protect and preserve your wealth, your inheritance and your family’s future.

Examples of how we can help:

• Advising on and making Wills to provide for loved ones.
• Assisting on Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputyship.
• Advising on Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning and Trusts.
• Successfully challenging disputes over wills and estates where the law lets cohabiting couples of many years down.

We will ensure that you receive expert advice that is tailored to you and your needs, without breaking the bank. Our team of talented lawyers are always on hand to walk you through what can be an upsetting and stressful time.

Our experienced team provide advice in all areas of employment law for both individuals and businesses.

For Employees

In recent years, significant progress has been made in recognising and supporting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. However, despite these advancements, LGBTQ+ employees still face unique challenges in the workplace. The equality legislation places a number of obligations on the employer to ensure that its employees are not subjected to bullying or harassment or any other detrimental treatment as a result of their sex, sexual orientation and gender reassignment. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and further complications may arise with issues such as adoption leave, shared parental leave, leave to undergo IVF treatment, menopause in gender reassigned individuals and other issues that you may need support with. Our employment team, can assist you with these matters professionally and sensitively.

For Employers

At Hanne & Co we are passionate about good working practices and will support any employer that wishes to do the same. Creating a workplace that is inclusive and supportive of LGBTQ+ employees requires proactive measures from employers. By addressing discrimination, implementing policies, promoting education, and fostering a sense of community, organisations can cultivate an environment where LGBTQ+ employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive professionally. Embracing diversity in all its forms is not just morally right; it also enhances productivity, creativity, and the overall success of a company.

If you are looking on ways to support your LGBTQ colleagues or encounter organisational issues that are making it difficult for you to do so, please feel free to reach out and speak to our employment team who will guide you and help you build workplaces where everyone feels safe, accepted, and celebrated for who they are.

How we can help

• Advise you on your rights, duties and obligations;
• Support you with drafting policies and procedures that aim to support LGBTQ+ staff;
• Provide training to your colleagues;
• Where relationship has broken down, assist you in resolving disputes by mutually agreeing exit terms;
• Finally, where matters have progressed to litigation, assist you with employment tribunal process and pursue or defend your case