Arlington Heights, Illinois, Civil Union Lawyer
Aggressive. Honest. Efficient.
Under a new Illinois law, couples who could only be considered domestic partners can now receive the same benefits as married couples.
Contact our Arlington Heights, Illinois, civil union attorneys at S.A.M. LAW OFFICE, LLC, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, for this level of legal service and care. We offer free initial consultations.
Rolling Meadows Agreement Dissolution Attorney
Effective June 1, 2010, the Illinois Senate enacted the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act. Under this law, same-sex and opposite sex couples can enter into a civil union, if they are older than 18 and are not related by blood or adoption.
Couples who obtain civil unions are now granted the same state rights as a married couple, some of which include:
- The ability to file joint state tax returns
- The right to make health care decisions for your partner, and be covered under employer insurance plans
- The right to inherit a partner's assets and property
- The right to refuse to testify against a partner
However, because the Illinois law is trumped by the federal Defense of Marriage Act, partners in a civil union cannot receive benefits normally granted to a spouse, such as Social Security benefits or the ability to file joint federal tax returns. We follow changes in this ever-evolving area of law very closely to ensure that you are aware of the latest information regarding the rights to which you are entitled.
When a civil union ends, the same issues that arise in a divorce must be addressed upon dissolution, including:
- Child support
- Child custody
- Property division
- Spousal support
Our Chicago same-sex marriage attorney, Susan A. Marks, can help you consider and address these issues. We can also assist in drafting prenuptial agreements to predetermine rights and obligations to each other in the event the civil union is dissolved.
For more information regarding our family law and personal injury practices, contact our Chicago agreement dissolution lawyer at S.A.M. LAW OFFICE, LLC, today for a free initial consultation.