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To Wait for the Law to Change or not to Wait, That is the Question A Guide for Same-Gender Couples and Clergy on the Necessity of Using Private Law to Protect the Rights of Same-Sex Relationships

International Journal of Social Science Studies

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Title To Wait for the Law to Change or not to Wait, That is the Question A Guide for Same-Gender Couples and Clergy on the Necessity of Using Private Law to Protect the Rights of Same-Sex Relationships
 
Creator Gross Schaefer, Arthur
Gala, Sona
 
Description Due to the serious issues same-gendered couples living in states that do not legally recognize their relationships face, this article examines the very real need for same-sex couples to use private law, in the form of specific legal documents, to protect their rights. Moreover, the authors take the position that clergy who solemnize same-sex relationships should require these couples, as a precondition, to execute such documents as enumerated in this article. Clergy, by facilitating the assistance of legal counsel and integrating the execution of legal agreements, will help provide same-sex couples with a level of legal, emotional and financial well-being that may not currently be attainable without private legal agreements. The article begins by examining the current state of the laws governing same-sex relationships at both the federal and state level. Specifically, we will examine two cases that have substantially impacted the landscape of rights for same-sex couples. The paper will then examine four areas of the law where uncertainty for same sex couples lies and the legal agreements that can be effectively utilized to reduce this uncertainty. These areas include: 1) medical/end of life decisions; 2) financial welfare of both parties and distribution of assets upon dissolution of the relationship; 3) distribution of the couple’s property in the event of death; and 4) parental rights. The paper will conclude with recommendations for clergy in counseling same-sex couples prior to performing marriage and commitment ceremonies.
 
Publisher Redfame Publishing
 
Contributor
 
Date 2014-10-09
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

 
Format application/pdf
 
Identifier http://redfame.com/journal/index.php/ijsss/article/view/545
10.11114/ijsss.v2i4.545
 
Source International Journal of Social Science Studies; Vol 2, No 4 (2014); 100-112
2324-8041
2324-8033
 
Language eng
 
Relation http://redfame.com/journal/index.php/ijsss/article/view/545/438