The State of
While marriage equality will continue to be a struggle in the years, and possibly decades, to come, if the vote proves anything at all it is that individuals and couples need to take control of their own rights and pro-actively plan. Many of the rights typically associated with marriage can be gained through the right kind of life and estate planning documents.
In fact, in
- Does not inherit 100% of their spouse’s assets
- Does not have automatic access to their partner’s accounts during a time of crisis
- Can not combine their assets as joint with a right of survivorship without incurring federal gift taxes
However, all of these benefits that are typically (but wrongly) associated with marriage can be obtained through the right revocable living trust, a domestic partnership property agreement, powers of attorney, and other various documents. There is no waiting for a legislature to grant you rights. There is no need for a monumental court case to change the marriage laws. And there is certainly no need to wait for a public referendum to protect yourself and your partner.
If one thing is clear from the main referendum on marriage equality, reliance on marriage certificates for life and estate planning does not work, even if the referendum is successful.
For more information on legal documents available for domestic partners, please read The Gay Marriage Alternative by Jeffrey G. Marsocci, available at https://www.createspace.com/3380312
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