Are civil unions recognized by the federal government?

No, civil unions are not recognized by the federal government. Civil unions are a form of legal partnership between two people that is recognized by the state but not by the federal government. In Kansas, civil unions are covered by the Kansas Civil Union Law, which went into effect on July 1, 2012. This law grants same-sex married couples some of the same rights and benefits as married couples, such as the right to inherit property, the right to make medical decisions for their partner, and the right to file joint state taxes. However, these benefits are not recognized by the federal government. Since the federal government does not recognize civil unions, partners do not have the same rights or benefits as married couples, such as the ability to file joint federal tax returns, apply for family health benefits, or take advantage of certain Social Security benefits. Therefore, it is important to understand the legal implications of civil unions in Kansas before entering into one.

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