Does a civil union confer any additional rights or benefits?
In North Dakota, civil unions confer additional rights to couples who are in a committed relationship, but who do not meet the criteria for traditional marriage under state law. Specifically, these rights include the ability to make health care decisions for one another, to gain access to private medical information, to make medical decisions in the event of an emergency, to make decisions about funeral arrangements, as well as the ability to make legal decisions on a partner’s behalf. These rights are often required for couples who cannot enter into a traditional marriage due to one partner’s age, immigration status, or other restrictions. For instance, a couple who has a partner who is not a U.S. citizen may enter into a civil union in order to gain access to the rights and benefits of a traditional marriage. In addition to the above mentioned rights, civil unions also confer certain financial benefits to couples. Civil unions provide inheritance rights, various tax incentives, and insurance. These rights and benefits can be especially important for couples who are unable to obtain traditional marriage due to their age or immigration status. Ultimately, civil unions are an important legal option for couples, offering them the same rights and benefits of marriage. Couples who enter into a civil union should consulting an attorney to ensure that their rights and benefits are not only recognized under state law, but are also upheld.
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