Your Rights & Resources

Under federal and state laws, marriage is more than just the individual commitment of two individuals. The status of marriage brings with it a host of rights, benefits, and protections—1,138 under federal law alone.2 Marriage also creates a financial unit in which assets and liabilities can and, in some cases, must be shared. Deciding to wed is an important step, and same-sex couples, especially older same-sex couples, in a post-Obergefell world should take steps to ensure that they are fully aware of the legal impact that marriage confers on a variety of family planning situations.