4 ms·
As a non american, does the US Government have an official definition of marriage that is going to change today? I understand the social consequences. But what
by pavanky 11y ago
As a non american, does the US Government have an official definition of marriage that is going to change today?
I understand the social consequences. But what legal rights have been granted now that did not exist previously ?
- disantlor 11y agoI don't know all (or many) of the specifics but I know a big one is that in certain states/situations partners were not guaranteed visitation rights in the hospital on the grounds that they weren't legally married.
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]
- teraflop 11y agoThere are a ton of legal ramifications, including tax benefits (it's advantageous for a married couple to file income taxes jointly), immigration (spousal visas etc.), inheritance, and so on. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rights_and_responsibilities_of_marriages_in_the_United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rights_and_responsibilities_of...
- vinay427 11y agoI believe immigration and federal taxes, which are handled solely by the federal government, are not affected as the US (on a national level) already recognized same-sex marriages after the DOMA overrule.
- teraflop 11y agoThat's true, but couples were still required to either live in or travel to a state where same-sex marriages were able to be legally performed.
- jgroszko 11y agoThe big ones are hospital visitation rights, being able to file joint federal taxes, and estate planning and inheritance benefits.
- ohitsdom 11y agoI think estate planning and inheritance all could have been done before (you can leave your money/assets to whoever). This just ensures your spouse gets it even if you don't have a will.
- matthewowen 11y agoThere are spousal exemptions for inheritance taxes.
- ohitsdom 11y agoAh yes, taxes. Good point.
- jgroszko 11y agoFrom what I understand, in some cases where the couple didn't do any estate planning the deceased partner's family could seize the deceased partner's property out of spite, sometimes leaving the surviving partner homeless or destitute.
- millstone 11y agoSocial security is one benefit that can only be inherited by a spouse. It cannot be willed to someone else.
- andor436 11y agoSocial security, tax benefits, death benefits (including child custody), health insurance coverage, legal (marital communications privilege) There are probably thousands of these baked into our state and federal laws. Check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rights_and_responsibilities_of_marriages_in_the_United_States#Rights_and_benefits https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rights_and_responsibilities_of... and http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/marriage-rights-benefits-30190.html http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/marriage-rights-benef...