Does a civil union provide any estate or inheritance rights?
Yes, civil unions do provide estate and inheritance rights in California. According to the California Probate Code, a surviving partner in a civil union is treated in the same way as a surviving spouse in a marriage when it comes to their inheritance rights. This means that when one partner in a civil union passes away, the other partner is entitled to receive a portion of their estate, provided they are named in the will. Alternatively, if the deceased partner was not able to leave an estate, the other partner will still be entitled to an Inheritance Tax exemption of up to $150,000. In addition, the surviving partner in a civil union is also eligible for the same rights as a surviving spouse regarding Social Security, veterans benefits, and other government programs that provide financial assistance to spouses. This means that the surviving partner in a civil union may be able to receive a portion of the benefits that the deceased partner was previously receiving. Overall, civil unions in California provide the same estate and inheritance rights as a marriage. This is important for couples who are not legally married but still wish to ensure that their partner will be taken care of in the event of their death.
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