Washington to Recognize Same Sex Marriage

A victory for those seeking domestic partnership in Washington state: a new bill was signed into law this week recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages.

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the bill into law in order to close a loophole in the current state law. Under the former law, only civil unions and domestic partnerships were recognized and eligible for benefits coverage. According to

Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, gay marriage was not legal in many places when the state laws for domestic partnership were first passed.

The bill's original sponsor, Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, said that, "This bill is about fairness for all families." Once the bill was passed Jinkins went on to say that, "Washington voters decided they wanted all families to be able to protect themselves under Washington state law."

Are you considering a domestic partnership with someone you love? If so, you need to learn more about your legal rights under state law.  To become informed, contact us to get answers to your questions from a Los Angeles family law attorney.