Making It Legal: A Guide to Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnerships & Civil Unions, Edition 3

Frederick Hertz · Emily Doskow

Jan 2014 · Nolo

About this ebook

The ultimate guide to the past, present, and future of same-sex relationship laws in the U.S. Same-sex relationships are treated differently under each state's laws, and more than a quarter of the U.S. population lives in a state with some form of legal recognition for same-sex couples. More than 100,000 same-sex couples have married. Making It Legal is the only book that offers a comprehensive review of all the issues that influence the decision to marry and breaks down the complex and ever-changing rules of same-sex relationship laws. This book provides guidance on important issues that same-sex married couples may face: - Is a pre-nup advisable? What does it involve? - What happens when you want to file your taxes? - When is a will or a living trust needed? - What are the special needs of same-sex couples with kids? - When should you turn to professionals for help during disagreements? - How do you work with step-parents, past partners, and the blended family? Nationally recognized same-sex relationship law expert Attorney Frederick Hertz and Attorney Emily Doskow have written the ultimate guide to the ultimate decision -- whether to enter into a marriage or other legal relationship with your same-sex partner. Since the first edition was published, numerous changes have taken place across the country. Some states have legalized same-sex marriage, and others have passed laws stating that they will acknowledge same-sex marriages from other states. This edition is updated to account for these changes in state laws and projects additional changes likely to happen in the future.

About the author

Frederick Hertz is a practicing attorney-mediator and the co-author of Nolo's Living Together: A Legal Guide for Unmarried Couples, A Legal Guide for Lesbian & Gay Couples and Making It Legal: A Guide to Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnership & Civil Unions.

Emily Doskow is a practicing attorney and mediator who has worked with families in the Bay Area for more than 15 years. She specializes in family law, including adoption, parentage issues, domestic partnership formation and dissolution, and divorce. She is a graduate of the Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California at Berkeley. She is the author of Nolo's Essential Guide to Divorce and coauthor of A Legal Guide for Lesbian & Gay Couples.