This article from the Springfield State Journal-Register points out why same-sex couples who enter an Illinois civil union should still execute health-care and financial powers of attorney.
New federal regulations require all hospitals participating in Medicare and Medicaid to allow patients to designate visitors of their choosing. Effective January 18, 2011, these hospitals – virtually very hospital in the United States - may not restrict, limit or otherwise deny visitation privileges on the basis of, among other factors, sexual orientation and…
An article in today’s Aurora Beacon-News discusses how county clerks are preparing for the civil union application process. Couples may apply for civil unions beginning June 1, 2011.
This story from NPR about David Wilson and Ron Loso is yet one more example of why same-sex couples need to protect themselves.
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…
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 their son. The…
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…