“We are not what other people say we are. We are who we know ourselves to be, and we are what we love.”

- Laverne Cox

LGBTQ+ Family & Identity Law

Omaha | Lincoln | Serving Nebraska & Iowa

If you’re LGBTQ+ in Nebraska or Iowa, the legal system doesn’t always reflect the reality of your life or your relationships.

We built this practice to help you take clear, thoughtful steps so your legal life reflects your identity, your family, and what matters most.

WHAT WE HELP WITH

Legal Transition Services
For trans and gender-diverse adults

You know who you are. The legal system doesn’t always make it easy to reflect that. A legal transition often involves several interconnected steps, and the process can feel overwhelming, especially as laws and requirements continue to evolve.

We guide you through each step in a way that is clear, current, and manageable.

• Legal name change petitions and court process

• Gender marker updates and supporting documentation

• Guidance on federal documents including Social Security, passport, and identification

• Estate document updates to reflect your legal identity

Trans Youth & Family Matters
When parents need clarity and support

When a child’s identity becomes part of a legal or parenting discussion, families often find themselves in unfamiliar territory. These situations are deeply personal and deserve thoughtful, steady guidance.

We represent affirming parents and focus on supporting outcomes that center the child.

• Custody matters involving a child’s gender identity
• Decision-making authority related to name, pronouns, and school communication
• Representation for affirming parents
• Guidance grounded in current Nebraska and Iowa law

Same-Sex Couples & Family Formation
Protecting both parents

Building a family should feel secure. We help ensure that both parents have clear legal recognition and protection so your family is supported in every way that matters.

• Same-sex adoptions
• Legal recognition of non-biological parents
• Planning for assisted reproduction arrangements
• Custody and divorce matters involving complex family structures

Chosen Family Legal Services
Protecting the people who show up

Not every family fits into a traditional legal definition. We help you create legal structures that reflect your real relationships, so the people who matter most in your life are supported and recognized.

• Cohabitation and domestic partnership agreements
• Healthcare proxies and powers of attorney
• Estate planning that reflects your chosen relationships
• Co-parenting agreements for non-romantic parents
• Planning for non-traditional and multi-partner family structures

WHY THIS PRACTICE EXISTS

Many firms say they serve LGBTQ+ clients, and many do, but this practice was built specifically around the legal needs of LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Nebraska and Iowa. We also built this practice through real connection with the community. That shapes how we show up and how we do this work.

We focus on the areas where thoughtful planning makes a meaningful difference, including parental rights, identity documentation, and legal protections that support your life as it is today.

We stay current as the law evolves, and we bring that knowledge into every conversation so you can move forward with clarity.

NEXT STEP

There are ways to put the right pieces in place so your life and your relationships are supported and recognized. If you’re thinking about what comes next, we’re here to talk it through with you.

help starts here

Bri Cotton, Associate Attorney

Bri’s work focuses on LGBTQ+ Family & Identity law at McGill Law, supporting individuals and families in Nebraska and Iowa.

This work is part of McGill Law’s broader family law practice, where all of our attorneys handle divorce, custody, adoption, and estate planning. Bri brings a specialized focus to the legal considerations that impact LGBTQ+ individuals and families within that work.

She went to law school because she believes the law should work for everyone, and she understands that it doesn’t always. The systems that are meant to protect people can fall short, especially when identity, family, or relationships don’t fit the mold the system was built around.

This practice reflects a focused effort within McGill Law to better support LGBTQ+ individuals and families. Bri approaches this work with intention, including staying current on the legal landscape and building relationships within the community.

When you work with Bri, you’re working with someone who is thoughtful, prepared, and committed to doing this work well, with the support of the broader McGill Law team.