Steven J. Mandel, Hon. Jane Pearl (Ret.) and The Mandel Law Firm team have joined Warshaw Burstein, LLP, a full-service law firm in New York City, effective February 2026
Schedule A Consultation: (646) 770-3868
LGBTQ Family Law Attorney in Manhattan, New York

LGBTQ Family Law Attorney in Manhattan, New York

New York City has long been at the forefront of LGBTQ legal equality — and Steven J. Mandel has been at the forefront of LGBTQ family law representation in Manhattan for decades. Now at Warshaw Burstein, LLP, Steven and his team bring deep expertise, genuine advocacy, and an intimate understanding of the unique legal challenges facing LGBTQ individuals and families in New York City. Whether you are navigating a same-sex divorce, fighting for custody of your children, or planning your family’s legal future, you deserve an attorney who truly gets it.

A Long History of LGBTQ Legal Advocacy in Manhattan

Steven J. Mandel has represented LGBTQ clients in Manhattan through every phase of the marriage equality movement — from a time when same-sex relationships had no legal recognition to today’s landscape of full marriage equality under both state and federal law. That history matters. He understands the complexities that arise when relationships span periods of different legal status, when children were born or adopted under varying legal frameworks, and when assets were built together without the protections of formal marriage.

His representation is not just legally competent — it is informed by a genuine understanding of his clients’ lives, communities, and the specific challenges they face in the legal system.

LGBTQ Family Law Services in Manhattan

The Unique Legal Landscape for LGBTQ Families

Despite full marriage equality, LGBTQ families continue to face legal complexities that their heterosexual counterparts do not. Long-term same-sex couples who married after years together may dispute what portion of their assets is marital property. Non-biological parents who never completed a second-parent adoption may find their parental rights contested. Couples who registered as domestic partners before marriage equality may have overlapping legal statuses to untangle.

Steven J. Mandel navigates these complexities every day. He knows which arguments New York courts have accepted, which legal strategies protect LGBTQ clients most effectively, and how to anticipate the issues that other attorneys might miss.

Serving the LGBTQ Community Across Manhattan

From Chelsea and the West Village — neighborhoods with deep roots in New York’s LGBTQ history — to the Upper West Side, Tribeca, Astoria, and Park Slope, Steven J. Mandel serves LGBTQ clients throughout Manhattan and the broader New York City metro area. His office at Warshaw Burstein, LLP provides a welcoming, discreet environment where clients can speak openly and receive the thoughtful representation they deserve.

Call (646) 770-3868 to schedule a confidential consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions: LGBTQ Family Law Attorney in Manhattan

Q1: What LGBTQ family law services are available in Manhattan?

Steven J. Mandel and the team at Warshaw Burstein, LLP offer comprehensive LGBTQ family law services in Manhattan, including same-sex divorce, LGBTQIA+ child custody disputes, domestic partnership and cohabitation agreements, LGBTQIA+ prenuptial agreements, life and estate planning for same-sex couples, and non-traditional adoption. As a long-standing advocate for LGBTQ legal rights in New York, Steven brings both legal expertise and genuine personal commitment to every case.

Q2: Are same-sex divorces treated differently from heterosexual divorces in New York?

Under New York law, same-sex marriages are fully equal to opposite-sex marriages, and same-sex divorces are governed by the same statutes and procedures. However, LGBTQ divorces can present unique practical complexities — particularly in cases where the couple’s relationship predates marriage equality and assets or children were acquired during a period when legal marriage was not an option. An attorney experienced in LGBTQ family law understands how to navigate these nuances.

Q3: What happens to children from a same-sex marriage in a New York divorce?

Both spouses in a same-sex marriage have full parental rights under New York law, regardless of biological connection, provided the non-biological parent is a legal parent through marriage, adoption, or court order. Custody and visitation are determined using the same best-interests-of-the-child standard applied in all New York custody cases. If parentage is unclear or disputed, establishing legal parentage early is critical.

Q4: Do domestic partners have the same rights as married couples in New York?

Domestic partners do not have the same legal rights as married couples in New York. While the city and state recognize domestic partnerships, they do not confer the same automatic property rights, inheritance rights, or parental rights as marriage. LGBTQ couples who choose not to marry — or who have been together in committed relationships prior to marriage equality — should consider formal domestic partnership or cohabitation agreements to protect their interests.

Q5: How can an LGBTQ prenuptial agreement protect my rights in New York?

An LGBTQ prenuptial agreement can address the unique financial and legal circumstances of same-sex couples entering marriage — including assets accumulated prior to marriage during a long-term committed relationship, pre-existing real estate or business interests, and the treatment of non-biological parental rights. A carefully drafted prenuptial agreement provides certainty and protection for both partners regardless of what the future holds.

Back To Top