On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Divorce on Friday, August 2, 2013.
Gay couples throughout Illinois who took advantage of their right to enter a civil union have gained another victory. Amazingly, this victory comes in the form of a law passed hundreds of miles away. While gaining the right to gay marriage and civil union rights were hard-fought battles, obtaining a divorce is still difficult.
Gay couples often travel to places where civil unions are legal and recognized. What these individuals don’t realize, however, is the fact that they may be unable to obtain a legal separation when they travel back home. It’s not as simple as just ending the relationship and going separate ways; these unions, though not recognized in some areas, are still legally binding.
It’s traditionally been the case that if a gay couple had a civil union in a certain state, they’d have to dissolve it in the same state. This means that a couple who decided to move to another state after their union would have to uproot their lives and travel back to end it.
Colorado has decided that this shouldn’t be necessary. Their new civil union law, which only went into effect in May, allows for the dissolution of civil unions and marriages that took place in other states. In fact, seven divorces were finalized within two months of the enactment of the law, ensuring that gay couples have equal rights from the beginning to the end of their relationships.
Divorce is a serious issue, and unfortunately for those involved in civil unions, the law can be quite complex. Luckily, a state that allows a civil union to be formed will also be able to dissolve that relationship. This means that both individuals in a formerly loving couple, regardless of gender, will have their rights protected if the relationship ends. Just as in any other divorce or separation, an attorney may be able to ensure that a fair agreement is reached when divvying up the life that the two individuals built together.
Source: Huffington Post, “Colorado’s First Gay Divorce Finalized“, July 30, 2013