The landmark decision to legalize same-sex marriage across the nation has been greeted with enthusiasm by many. With the legalization of gay marriage, some are anticipating a divorce boom among gay couples. According to a UCLA report,approximately 50,000 of the approximately 640,000 gay couples in the U.S. were married and another 100,000 were in other kinds of legal relationships such as domestic partnerships in 2011. The same-sex marriage rate in some states approached the number of heterosexual marriages.
Initially, gay marriages proved more durable than their heterosexual counterparts – 1% percent of gay marriages were dissolving compared to 2% for heterosexual couples. However, with the pool of long-term, stable gay couples marrying or electing not to, gay marriages will likely be left to the young and impulsive, thereby signaling a new era. Some believe that the 50 percent divorce rate among heterosexuals will inevitably translate to gay marriages moving forward.
Fortunately, with the passage of the nationwide law, there is now a legal mechanism for same-sex couples seeking divorce or separation. In the past, there were a lot of situations where same-sex couples had no legal means to deal with custody or financial issues when relationships faltered. The new law provides a legal means for same-sex couples to address property division, child custody and support and spousal maintenance as applicable. With the legalization of same-sex marriage, partners will be in a position to get a fair shake when it comes to marital dissolution much like their different-sex counterparts.
If you have a family law matter such as same-sex divorce, premarital agreements, child custody or adoption, contact the Law Offices of Ronald L. Bell, PC for help. We are located in Libertyville, Illinois serving the communities in Lake County, Chicago and Northern Illinois since 1980.
Source: nymag.com, “From ‘‘I Do’’ to ‘‘I’m Done’’ , accessed July 1, 2015.