Domestic Partnership Varies State to State

While the basic idea of domestic partnership refers to two people that have a committed relationship to one another and live together, the laws regarding domestic partnership can vary by state.  More and more states are seeking changes in laws regarding domestic partnership. This is mostly done on a town-by-town basis but momentum is building and laws are being changed.

Some states have already gone ahead and approved domestic partners to enjoy some of the same legal rights as married couples. These states include Washington, Maine, California and Nevada. Other states, like Connecticut and New York, have similar laws on the books but refer to domestic partnership as civil unions instead.

In states where domestic partnership is not recognized state-wide, towns and cities can change their own laws. In many cases, domestic partnership rights will be granted to individuals who work for the city government. Once the laws have been passed, domestic partners are given access to things like sick leave, health insurance death benefits and accident insurance through their partner's insurance.

Should you have questions related to domestic partnership, take the time to get answers from a family lawyer.