Haverhill Public Library

Making it legal, a guide to same-sex marriage, domestic partnerships & civil unions, attorney Frederick C. Hertz with attorney Emily Doskow

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 244-246) and index

index present

non fiction

Making it legal

bibliography

858081084

attorney Frederick C. Hertz with attorney Emily Doskow

a guide to same-sex marriage, domestic partnerships & civil unions

"The ultimate guide to the past, present, and future of same-sex relationship laws in the U.S. Same-sex relationships are treated differently under each state's laws, and more than a quarter of the U.S. population lives in a state with some form of legal recognition for same-sex couples. More than 100,000 same-sex couples have married. Making It Legal is the only book that offers a comprehensive review of all the issues that influence the decision to marry and breaks down the complex and ever-changing rules of same-sex relationship laws. This book provides guidance on important issues that same-sex married couples may face: - Is a prenup advisable? What does it involve? - What happens when you want to file your taxes? - When is a will or a living trust needed? - What are the special needs of same-sex couples with kids? - When should you turn to professionals for help during disagreements? - How do you work with step-parents, past partners, and the blended family? Nationally recognized same-sex relationship law expert Attorney Frederick Hertz and Attorney Emily Doskow have written the ultimate guide to the ultimate decision -- whether to enter into a marriage or other legal relationship with your same-sex partner. Since the first edition was published, numerous changes have taken place across the country. Some states have legalized same-sex marriage, and others have passed laws stating that they will acknowledge same-sex marriages from other states. This edition is updated to account for these changes in state laws and projects additional changes likely to happen in the future"--, Provided by publisher

Your same-sex marriage companion -- 1. A brief history of the same-sex marriage movement -- The not-so-good old days -- The marriage pioneers -- The emergence of gay families -- Domestic partnership : in t he beginning -- 2. Same-sex marriage around the world and at home -- The international landscape -- The domestic landscape -- State by state : marriage and relationship recognition in America -- Equality in the works -- When is a spouse not a spouse? : introduction to the problem of nonrecognition -- 3. What it means to be married : the rules of marriage and divorce -- The architecture of marriage -- Rules of marriage in the present -- Rules of divorce -- Marriage and parentage -- The benefits of marriage -- 4. The real-life consequences of legal discrimination -- Federal nonrecognition -- Interstate nonrecognition -- Special issues for transgender parents -- Recognition ... of what you can and can't control -- 5. Marriage material -- Applying logic to picking a partner -- Selecting a mate : the historical backdrop -- Legal barriers to commitment -- Things to consider before saying "I do" -- 6. Ten steps to a decision -- 7. To prenup or not to prenup -- What's a premarital agreement? -- Essential ingredients of a prenup -- The process of creating a prenup -- The emotional dimensions -- Making agreements if you choose to remain unmarried -- The bottom line : costs of a prenup -- 8. Avoiding the ugly gay divorce -- The lessons of experience -- Things you should know about divorce -- Divorce stories -- Don't become the bad or the ugly -- How to resolve conflicts at divorce -- Collaborative divorce -- The burden of being wedlocked -- Avoiding the ugly gay divorce when you're unmarried -- 9. Estate planning for same-sex couples -- Planning for disability -- Planning for death -- Intestacy rules -- Other ways to transfer property at death -- Fiduciary duties and the problem of "influence" -- Special issues for parents -- Cautionary tales -- Estate planning when you're not married or legally partnered -- 10. Legal change in action : how change happens and what to expect -- How legal change happens -- Marriage in the courts -- Marriage in the legislature -- Marriage and the voters -- What does the uncertain future mean to your present? -- Appendixes. A. Relationship recognition chart -- B. Resources -- C. The marriage license test