By now, you have probably seen or heard about the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision, issued by the United States Supreme Court on June 26, 2015, which legalizes same-sex marriage in all 50 states. It achieves the legalization of same-sex marriage throughout the United States by requiring all states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and to recognize valid same-sex marriages previously performed in other jurisdictions. In addition to the Supreme Court recognizing a constitutional right to marry, same-sex couples are now afforded the same spousal rights that heterosexual couples enjoy. The decision thus has broad, and in some instances perhaps unexpected, legal implications for married same-sex couples, couples interested in converting their domestic partnerships or civil unions to full marriages, as well as employers and business partners of same-sex individuals.
If you would like further information on any of the above legal implications of the Obergefell decision, or to ensure that your current estate planning documents, employment policies and benefit plans conform to the Obergefell decision or other aspects of same-sex couple rights, please read our full article regarding the decision, or contact Douglas Sanderson or John Farrell.
Disclaimer: This firm only offers legal advice to clients, and the facts of a particular situation usually drive the legal advice we give to clients. This message is not intended to be legal advice appropriate for all situations.
