Does a civil union provide any spousal support?

In Washington, a civil union does not provide any spousal support. A civil union is a legal relationship between two individuals of the same or opposite sex that confers certain rights and responsibilities which are similar to those of a marriage. The Washington State Legislature has not passed any laws that consider civil unions to be the same as marriage, and therefore do not provide the same rights and responsibilities. Civil unions do not provide any spousal support obligations that are typically seen in marriages. This includes spousal support, or what is commonly referred to as "alimony." Additionally, civil unions do not have any of the rights or privileges that a married couple may have. These rights include the right to file joint tax returns, the right of inheritance, the ability to be a beneficiary on insurance policies, or the right to make medical decisions for one another in the event of an emergency. Therefore, it is important for individuals in a civil union to understand the parameters of their relationship and make sure to take the proper steps to ensure they have the rights they need. This includes setting up a Will and having life insurance policies that both individuals are named as beneficiaries. Doing this will ensure that your partner will be taken care of in the event of death or incapacitation.

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