Even though I published the LGBT edition of Caring Is Not Enough a few years ago, there are many updates to the information. As with any individual who is married or single, aging or youngish, gay, lesbian or straight, there are many questions that need to be addressed.
LGBT relationships require more information be documented for the sake of the partner left behind. Are you married? Is the marriage recognized by the state in which you live? Where are the documents stating such? Do you have children? Do you have children together? Are they adopted? etc, etc, etc.
It is very important that the following article be read and then it is very important, if you are in an LGBT relationship, you get our LGBT edition of Caring Is Not Enough and fill it out: www.caringisnotenough.net
Same-sex marriage: Windsor v. US
Edie Windsor, a resident of New York, had legally married Thea Spyer in Canada in 2007 after the two had lived together as a couple in New York for more than 40 years. Two years after marrying Windsor, Spyer passed away leaving her estate to her wife. Windsor was forced to pay $363,000 in federal taxes on Spyer's inheritance. Had their marriage been accorded the same status under federal law as a different-sex marriage, Windsor would have paid zero dollars in federal taxes. The lawsuit argues that the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, violates the equal protection guarantee of the U.S. Constitution by recognizing and honoring marriages of different-sex couples, but not honoring the legal marriages of same-sex couples. In the case, Windsor seeks a refund on the taxes she was forced to pay as well as federal recognition of her legally valid marriage.
In Windsor v. United States, the Supreme Court determined Section 3 of DOMA was unconstitutional on June 26, 2013.
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