Source Dear Yetta: My partner and I have been together for three years, and we think it’s time to tie the knot. We live in New York, but we would like to get married in Massachusetts. However, I’ve heard that only people who live in Massachusetts can marry in the state. Is that true? Or Read more about Is Getting Married In Massachusetts Really Legal?[…]

Source In lieu of my normal column, I want to bring GO readers’ attention to the recent closing of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Greenwich Village. I know what you’re thinking: how is St. Vincent’s’ closure an LGBT issue? St. Vincent’s Hospital was a nonprofit public charity hospital that served a significant number of lesbian, gay, Read more about Yetta Talks About The Closing Of St. Vincent’s Hospital[…]

Source Dear Yetta: My partner and I are buying our first apartment together. I am very excited, but also nervous. It’s the biggest purchase we have ever made together, and quite honestly the biggest purchase I have ever made in my life. My broker told me that I should put the mortgage in my name Read more about Yetta Kurland On Buying Your First Apartment[…]

Source Dear Yetta: My partner and I were married in Massachusetts a while back and have since broken up.  We never got a divorce because I didn’t think same sex marriage was recognized in New York, where we live.  However, I just found out my partner wants to sue for divorce and last week someone Read more about Same-Sex Divorce[…]

Source Dear Yetta: I am doing estate planning with my partner of five years and recently the issue of our pet teacup Chihuahua came up. We have had him since he was 3 months old and he is like a child to us. We know how important it is to put together documents that protect Read more about Yetta Kurland On Estate Planning For Your Pets[…]

Source Dear Yetta: I am a lesbian but am not out at work. I have been having problems lately at my job. Last week my boss told me I had to start “dressing more appropriately” for the job. When I asked what that meant, she said to wear more makeup and skirts. I’m scared I’m Read more about Yetta Answers Your Questions About Being Out At Work[…]

Source Dear Yetta: I am transitioning and wonder how to change my identification to reflect my new name and gender. How do I do this? It’s confusing. * * * I know the process of changing government issue IDs can be overwhelming, transphobia aside. It’s a huge issue, made more problematic these days with broader Read more about Yetta G. Kurland, Attorney At Law, On Changing Your Legal Gender[…]

Source Dear Yetta: My partner and I are putting together legal documents to protect our relationship. What is the difference between a health care proxy and a living will? Also what does it mean to file as Domestic Partners versus a Domestic Partnership Agreement? * * * Simple but important questions. A health care proxy Read more about Yetta G. Kurland Answers Your Real-Life Legal Questions About Legally Protecting Your Relationship[…]

Source Dear Yetta: I am in the process of breaking up with my girlfriend of five years. It has been a very difficult break-up and one of the sticking points is that we had been living in an apartment which is mine. I had inherited it from my family before I even met her. She Read more about Yetta G. Kurland On Property Claims And Breaking Up[…]

Source Dear Yetta: My partner and I are separating after eight years of being together. We have three children. I am the biological parent, but my ex adopted them when we were together. I really can’t stand her these days. Is there a way to undo the adoption? * * * Breakups can be very Read more about Divorcing Your Partner When You Have Children[…]

Source Dear Yetta: I am American but my partner is Brazilian. We have been togeth- er for 14 years.Three years ago we were married in Massachusetts and we recently adopted a child. My partner is here on a student visa. How do I sponsor her to become a permanent resident? –An International Family * * Read more about How Do I Sponsor My Partner To Become A Permanent Resident?[…]

Source Dear Yetta: My girlfriend and I have been together for five years. This summer she left me for another woman. It has ripped me apart. I have lost my friends and my family. I was so upset I threw her out of the apartment we lived in, which is technically hers. She says I Read more about Is Staying In My Ex’s Apartment Legal?[…]

Source Dear Yetta: I am writing because I don’t know what to do. My partner and I broke up a few months ago, but she has recently become very antagonistic. We had adopted a pit bull together, and now she is demanding that the dog is hers. The problem is that she is really abusive Read more about What Do I Do In A Custody Battle Over A Pet?[…]

Source Dear Yetta: My partner and I have lived together in the Village for the past 10 years. The rent is very affordable and we are lucky to have the apartment. The problem is that my partner, Lisa, is not on the lease. I am older than her and I wanted to make sure she Read more about I Can’t Get My Partner On My Lease[…]

Source Dear Yetta: I recently broke up with my girlfriend of 3 years. We had executed wills and other estate planning documents when we had first moved in together, including durable powers of attorney for each other. When I left the apartment I shredded all of my documents and told her to do the same. Read more about My Ex Emptied My Bank Account[…]

Source Dear Yetta: I am having serious problems with my landlord. Two weeks ago I came home and found the electricity in my building was turned off. I have not had hot water during this time, either. I’ve spoken with the other tenants in the building and they are experiencing the same problems. It is Read more about What To Do When Your Landlord Hasn’t Turned The Heat On![…]

Source Dear Yetta: I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and while most of my thoughts have been around my treatment and although I am optimistic about my recovery, I still want to take steps to make sure my partner and our 3-year-old daughter are protected in case anything should happen to me. I executed Read more about My Partner Is Diagnosed with Cancer[…]

Source Dear Yetta, My partner is extremely ill. She has been in the hospital for quite a while but her condition has recently worsened and now her parents are trying to prevent me from seeing her. I have to argue with them over every visit and every little thing that comes up. They are also Read more about What To Do When Doctors Stop You From Seeing Your Hospitalized Partner[…]