Same-Sex Marriage Legal Issues in Rolling Meadows

The marriage equality movement has been on the rise across the country, with the federal government now permitting same-sex couples to marry. On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that state-level bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional (Obergefell v. Hodges). As same-sex marriage becomes more and more accepted, consider the legal issues as a result of your pending marriage and whether you need the aid of an Illinois family law attorney.

Same-Sex Marriage in Illinois

In 2014, the Illinois legislature passed a bill allowing same-sex partners to legally marry. Same-sex partners who married on or after June 1, 2014 were given access to the same rights opposite-sex partners enjoy, including hospital visitation rights and spousal recognition in child custody cases. Legalizing same-sex marriage in Illinois affected thousands of couples. According to the most recent U.S. Census data, more than 32,000 same-sex couples live in Illinois. Couples in all states in the U.S. can now benefit from the legalization of same-sex marriage. Same-sex couples have many considerations when they marry, and they may need address these concerns with the help of an experienced attorney.

Though couples do not like to think in this manner, there is a possibility for any couple to encounter legal matters like divorce, child custody, and support issues. Some of these family law matters include:

• Divorce
• Child custody and child support
• Spousal support (alimony)
• Legal separation
• Division of assets and debts
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
• Parental relocations

Complications for Same-Sex Couples

Although every U.S. state must recognize same-sex marriages, there are still difficulties couples can face. For example, since marriage law changes are so recent, many gay and lesbian couples find themselves getting married later in life compared to their heterosexual peers. This means couples are likely to bring more non-marital property into the marriage. Our law firm can assist you in addressing the commingling of marital and non-marital assets or setting up prenuptial or postnuptial agreements that will determine how property should be divided if your same-sex marriage ends in divorce.

Contact Our Rolling Meadows Family Law Attorney for Same-Sex Couples

Complicated family law problems require an experienced Illinois family law attorney. The Law Office of Nicholas W. Richardson, P.C. serves clients in Palatine, Schaumburg, Inverness, Chicago, Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, Glenview, Hoffman Estates, Bartlett, Streamwood, Libertyville, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, and other cities throughout Cook County, DuPage County, McHenry County, and Kane County.

Nicholas W. Richardson offers straightforward, honest legal advice, and he has more than 15 years of experience handling complicated family law matters. Do not wait for the help you and your family need. Contact our firm today for your free initial consultation. Call our office at 847.873.6741.