The legalization of same-sex unions is relatively new in the United States. Minnesota has recently enacted a law to help same-sex couples establish not only their intimate unions but to holistically address the various benefits that heterosexual married couples receive from marriages and unions.
While the various aspects of marital unions, as well as divorce with its complicated issues like child custody, child support, spousal support, property division and other aspects have been in place for heterosexual couples for years, it is new, unchartered territory for same-sex couples. With the advent of this new law, same-sex couples have been vested with almost all the rights and duties heterosexual counterparts have enjoyed for centuries.
It must be noted that the legalization of civil unions for same-sex couples does not put any obligation on religious organizations to celebrate or acknowledge their union within their religious purviews. Thus, the gender neutral statutes enshrined under the new law would help in the legal procedures as well as battles regarding union and separation only from the legal standpoint, and will not address any religious rights of the couple.
Exploring such virgin legal territories can be frightening for many Minnesota residents, especially same-sex couples who have never had such opportunities before. That is where experienced family law attorneys like Terzich & Ort LLP can be of great help. Our firm is prepared and experienced with handling all facets of family law, including same-sex marriages and unions, and we are happy to help same-sex couples with their issues as the new laws come into effect.
