The Benifits of Marriage

As posted to soc.motss on May 6, 1994
by corwin+@cmu.edu (Scott A. Safier)

Message-ID: corwin+-060594151717@stress.sensor.ri.cmu.edu

A list of rights associated with marriage. Those marked with an asterick (*) involve a right that the state cannot give to a domestic partners, usually because it involves some federal law. Those marked with a plus (+) are rights usually only reserved for marriage. (astericks and pluses added by me based upon my current understanding, and some may be debatable)

FINANCIAL

Insurance benefits

Continuation of lease rights

Community property rights (+)

Inheritance rights

Tuition discounts

Payments of wages for deceased partners (*/+)

Payments of workers compensation benefits for deceased partners (*/+)

Right to enter into pre-marital agreement (*)

Veterans preference to spouse in public employment (*)

LEGAL

Child custody

Adoption rights

Witness and court testimony rights (*)

Consent to post-mortem examination (+)

Funeral leave

Right to make burial/cremation arrangements (+)

Right of survivorship to custodial trust

Right of "next of kin" decision-making in medical emergencies (+)

Right to divorce (*)

Custodial rights for seriously injured partner (+)

TAX and OTHER

Income tax deduction, credits and exemptions (*)

Tax relief for natural disaster losses (*)

Travel and transportation expense of gov't employees (*)

Commercial discounts and other consumer incentives offered only to married couples

fogarty@netcom.com or fogarty@musclememory.com

Last updated: 5-11-95