No. As of this writing, Illinois law prohibits a marriage between two people of the same sex and does not recognize a same-sex marriage performed in a state where it is legal, for example, Massachusetts.
The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act states that “a marriage between 2 individuals of the same sex” is [...]
Crain’s Chicago Business recently ran an article on Collaborative Law. It’s worth a read.
New York’s highest court ruled 7-0 yesterday (May 4) that a non-biological mother is a legal parent and entitled to seek custody and visitation. The New York Court of Appeals based its decision on a Vermont civil union that the non-biological mother and her former partner entered into before the birth of [...]
Two gay couples in Texas who were married in Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage is legal, are trying to get divorces, but the State of Texas is saying no. Getting a divorce in Massachusetts is not an option since they are now Texas residents.
In the first case, the men – who are identified in court records [...]
Today’s five-year anniversary of Terri Schiavo’s death is a reminder that we all have to face end-of-life decisions, for ourselves and often for loved ones. Most of us don’t like talking about end-of-life issues. Even more of us never get around to putting a plan in writing. Then-26-year-old Terri Schiavo didn’t either.
Terri was diagnosed as [...]
The 2010 Census will be the first census to publicly release the number of both same-sex spouses and same-sex unmarried partners. In the past, these two groups were combined and reported as same-sex “unmarried partners.”
This information will come from the relationship question, which asks the person filling out the form to identify how all [...]
Dennis Engelhard and Kelly Glossip were life partners for almost 15 years. They owned a home together. Glossip’s teenage son from a previous marriage, before Glossip came out as gay, considered Engelhard a stepfather. But Glossip will not be receiving survivor’s benefits from Engelhard’s pension.
Engelhard, a 10-year veteran of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, was [...]
Illinois is among several states that have laws which clearly allow unmarried persons, including same-sex couples, to adopt. The Illinois Adoption Act states that “a reputable person of legal age and of either sex” may petition to adopt a child. 750 ILCS 50/2. Illinois courts have held that this applies to unmarried same-sex couples or [...]
The Illinois Disposition of Remains Act, 755 ILCS 65/1 et seq., provides one of the more recent tools in the Life Planning Toolbox. The Act allows a person (the “principal”) to provide written instructions for the disposition, including cremation, of his or her remains. It also allows a person to designate an agent to direct [...]
By Sandra J. Slaga