Civil Union Rights and Responsibilities

When Colorado’s civil union law took effect in May, 67 couplesreceived their civil union licenses giving them rights and responsibilitiesakin to marriage.

Included in these new rights is the ability to cover partners asdependents on health insurance policies issued or renewed in 2014.  Also, partners can be named as beneficiarieson life insurance and some pensions. However, federal programs like Social Security are not affected, andtax-free health insurance benefits for spouses are still taxable income forpartners in civil unions.

Civil union partners have greater rights when it comes to makingmedical and financial decisions in the event of incapacity as well as rights toinherit under intestacy.  If a civilunion exists at the time of conception, “the benefits and responsibilities ofthe non-biological parent are the same as if the partners were spouses” formost purposes.  And if a civil union isdissolved, partners may be obligated to divide assets, provide spousalmaintenance, or pay child support. 

The Supreme Court’s ruling on DOMA as well as future state courtrulings stand to raise many legal and financial questions concerning civilunions in the coming years.

See David Gardner, Nothing Simple About Civil Unions, DailyCamera, June 16, 2013.