Florida Supreme Court Rules in Lesbian Custody Battle Case

FORT LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla.- Florida’s Supreme Court ruled recently that a woman who donated eggs to her lesbian partner has parental rights to the child and ordered the lower courts to resolve custody, child support and visitation issues (DMT v. TMH).

Professor Michael Dale of Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Shepard Broad Law Center, participated in the crafting of the amicus brief filed last year in support of TMH, resulting in a favorable ruling for her. In their ruling, the Florida Supreme Court cited the brief to recognize "peer-reviewed social science research" which "demonstrates the developmental and psychological importance for children in maintaining a relationship with both of their parents when those parents become separated."

Dale is available to speak about and provide insight on the precedential value of this case. He may be contact directly at:

Michael J. DaleProfessor of LawNova Southeastern University Law Center954/262-6159[email protected]

About the Shepard Broad Law Center: The Law Center offers a rigorous traditional academic program in three-year day and four-year evening versions. NSU Law prides itself on preparing graduates to make a smooth transition from the classroom to the courtroom or boardroom. Lawyering Skills and Values (LSV)-Every student completes a four-semester LSV sequence that combines traditional legal reasoning, writing, and research with an introduction to lawyer interviewing, counseling, negotiating, mediating, advocating, and other critical skills in a simulated law firm experience.

About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 314 beautiful acres in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic, fully accredited research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at all levels. NSU is a not-for-profit independent institution with an enrollment of 27,000 students. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields. NSU is classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and it is one of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification. For more information, please visit www.nova.edu.