Same-Sex Couples (unmarried) Are Legal Strangers
Unmarried same-sex couples need to protect themselves and their partners from interference by other people, including family members. Here is a partial list of the areas in which unmarried same-sex couples are treated as legal strangers:
- Burial or cremation
- Claim to the body
- Organ donation
- Medical decisions regarding treatment and providers
- Hospital and nursing home visitation
- Child custody, support, and visitation
- Wrongful death
- Property division and support when relationship terminates
- Inheritance
Also, Social Security and Veterans’ benefits are not payable to the survivor. And most pension and retirement plans restrict survivor benefits to a “surviving spouse”.
If you are in unmarried same-sex partnership, it is essential to create a life and estate plan.
Call the Law Offices of Debra G. Simms at 386.256.4882 to learn more.
This blog post is not case-specific and is provided only for educational purposes and is not intended to provide specific legal advice. Blog topics may or may not be updated and entries may be out-of-date at the time you view them.
