Change Modifies Domestic Partnership Laws in Washington

While a new law in Washington will give same-sex couples the right to get married, it will also eliminate domestic partnerships for most of the population. Under the new law, those couples under the age of 62 will not be able to seek a legal domestic partnership. After a successful vote in the state's House of Representatives, Washington became the seventh state in the nation to legalize gay marriage. The vote also changed the laws regarding domestic partnerships. Under the old law, any couples over the age of 62 could form domestic partnerships, as well as younger couples. The new law states that any existing domestic partnerships between people under the age of 62 will automatically be converted into marriage.

Should a couple not wish to be married, they will have to dissolve their partnership before June 13, 2014. Those couples that do wish to convert their domestic partnership to a marriage can opt to do so before 2014 by paying $62 for a marriage license. If you want to enter into a domestic partnership but have pressing questions, take the time to speak with a family lawyer in your area.