Gettin Legal With It — Laurence Gendelman — Non-monogamy and the Law

Non-monogamy is an umbrella term for every practice or philosophy of non-dyadic intimate relationship that does not strictly hew to the standards of monogamy. An openly non-monogamous relationship is one where partners agree that they want to be together and are open and honest about the fact that they have other partners. Although polygamy is illegal in Colorado, there are many other types of relationships where more than two people enter into a domestic relationship or arrangement.

Parenting, for example, can only include two individuals under Title 19. However, there are often three or more people actively parenting any one child. Through instruments such as trusts, contracts, cohabitation agreements, and pre or post-marital agreements, non-monogamous relationships can have protections under the law. Ultimately, non-monogamous relationships are complex to protect especially considering current Colorado law is averse to addressing them.

Enter Laurence Gendelman. Trained in a large family law firm, Laurence gained experience working with high-asset, high-conflict, and complex divorces and child custody issues. He also advocated for and advised clients regarding the division of complex financial assets including executive compensation packages and retirement benefits.

In 2016, Laurence transitioned his practice to probate, trust, estate law, working with a team of four other attorneys representing clients with estate planning, estate and trust administration, uncontested and contested guardianships and conservatorships, and probate litigation matters.

After gaining extensive experience in these practice areas and learning law firm management and operations, Laurence established Gendelman Law Group, LLC in 2017, where he represented clients in trust, estate, probate, and family law matters. In 2020, Gendelman Law Group, LLC and Klimas Law Firm, LLC, joined forces to create Gendelman Klimas, Ltd., the firm Where Family is Everything.

Laurence is also the Immediate Past President of the Colorado LGBT Bar Association. 

Host: Kevin Cheney