The United States Supreme Court recently declared the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional. DOMA prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and barred legally married gay and lesbian couples from receiving benefits available to opposite-sex married couples. As a result of this ruling, some states are now taking action.
Minnesota’s marriage law was made gender neutral by HF1054, which went into effect August 1, 2013. What does this mean for same-sex couples in Minnesota? It means that they can legally be married and enjoy the same rights and benefits as other married couples. Legal acceptance is a significant step toward the advancement of same-sex couples’ rights, but it also creates questions regarding everything from how this impacts the way a same-sex couple adopts a child to how that couple may choose to separate assets in the event of a divorce. Having a skilled attorney who is fully equipped to assist same-sex couples and the issues that may arise is important.
How can a family law attorney help same-sex couples? The change in law can affect a wide variety of areas. An experienced attorney in handling the issues same-sex couples face can assist you with matters such as:
If you are a same-sex couple in Minnesota and are considering getting married, are already married or were married in another state prior to Minnesota’s legalization of same-sex marriage, it is important to seek legal advice regarding the rights and benefits now available to you. The attorneys at Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A. have the experience and skill necessary to provide you the advice and guidance to fully take advantage of the change in Minnesota’s marriage law.