What are the legal benefits of a civil union?

A civil union is a legally recognized relationship between two unmarried people that provides many of the same legal benefits as a marriage. In Oklahoma, a civil union provides legal advantages, rights, and responsibilities, though it does not provide all the rights and privileges associated with marriage. One of the primary legal benefits of a civil union is the division of property. In the event of the death of a partner or dissolution of the union, property owned by either partner will be divided between them according to the laws of inheritance in Oklahoma. Another legal benefit is the right to visit a partner in the hospital or prison. Partners in a civil union have the same right as a married couple to visit each other in the hospital or prison. This also includes the right to make decisions about medical care for a partner when they are unable to do so themselves. Additionally, civil unions protect both partners in a union from being forced to testify against their partner in a court of law, as is the case with marriage. This is known as spousal privilege. Finally, a civil union offers legal protection for the children of the union. In Oklahoma, both partners in a civil union are allowed to be listed as a parent on a birth certificate, and both partners may have custody and visitation rights for the child. In summary, a civil union in Oklahoma provides the same or similar legal benefits as a marriage. These benefits include the division of property, hospital and prison visitation, spousal privilege, and legal protection for children of the union.

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