Thinking about Getting Married? Get Advice First
If you are in a same-sex couple and thinking about marrying, the Human Rights Campaign strongly recommends that you and your partner seek legal advice from an attorney about your particular situation and the latest legal developments.
The issues can be complex and differ for many couples, particularly:
- Binational couples
- Couples where one or both partners serve in the military,
- Couples where one or both partners receive public benefits and
- Couples with an adoption, custody, visitation or other legal case pending that involves their children.
Couples who are not residents of Massachusetts should be particularly careful before seeking licenses there. Residents of states that already have laws banning marriage for same-sex couples are unlikely to receive any benefits from marriages performed in Massachusetts.
The HRC Marriage Center has more information about your state’s laws on recognition of same-sex relationships. But individualized legal advice is necessary, both about whether to marry and how to deal with the range of legal issues that arise when couples do decide to marry.
Please contact attorneys at:
American Civil Liberties Union
Tel: 212/549-2627
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (New England states)
Tel: 617/426-1350
Immigration Equality (binational couples)
Tel: 212/818-9639
Lambda Legal
Tel: 212/809-8585
National Center for Lesbian Rights
Tel: 415-392-6257