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Same Sex Marriage Seminar
May 12, 2004 | Robinson Donovan, P.C.
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Marriage has never been as simple as standing before friends and family and saying "I do."
Whether you're gay or straight, there are legal matters connected to marriage that need attending to. But those matters are even more complicated when it comes to gay marriage, due in large part to discrepancies between state and federal law.
Before you head down to City Hall for that license, you should learn about some of the legal and accounting issues tied to same-sex marriage and make preparations to protect you, your partner and your families now and for the long term.
On Tuesday, May 11, attorneys from Robinson Donovan teamed up with Northampton accountants Jacobson & Weiss for a panel discussion on some key matters same-sex couples should address before the big day.
Topics included:- Taxes - how the federal tax code and the Defense of Marriage Act will complicate same sex couples' filing, retirement planning, and potential divorce settlements
- Family law - from second-parent adoption to premarital agreements to divorce
- Employment law - many employment rights, including family and medical leave, are governed by federal law and might not be extended to same-sex couples who marry in Massachusetts
- Estate planning - it's important to takes steps to protect your estate and your partner's rights, regardless of what becomes of the state Constitution; it's also important to know how to avoid estate-related federal tax pitfalls
It's still uncertain how many areas of the law will apply to same-sex marriages, but we can help you understand how to protect yourself to the fullest extent possible.
If you would like more information or have questions about how the laws will affect you, please contact one of our specialists:
Carla W. Newton - Family law • email or call 413-732-2301 x196
Patricia M. Rapinchuk - Employment law and discrimination issues • email or call 413-732-2301 x153
Jacobson & Weiss - Taxes • email or call 413-585-8442
Related links:
The Republican, Same sex wedding legal data shared (May 12, 2004)
The Republican, Same-sex marriage advice offered (May 11, 2004)
The Republican, Lifting the legal fog shrouding marriage for gays (May 6, 2004)
The Republican, Future of gay marriages seems clouded at best (April 30, 2004)
The Boston Globe, The state of same-sex marriage (map showing the status of states’ laws regarding same sex marriages and domestic partner benefits)
The "Defense of Marriage Act" (H.R. 3396)
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
Lambda Legal
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