Does a civil union provide any rights to a surviving partner?
Yes, a civil union in Washington does provide rights to a surviving partner. A civil union is a legal union between two people of the same or opposite sex. Through a civil union, both partners receive all the rights, responsibilities, and protections under the law that are available to couples in a marriage. If a partner in a civil union passes away, the surviving partner has some legal rights. For instance, the surviving partner can make decisions about their partner’s final arrangements, including burial or cremation. The surviving partner also has the right to visitation in the hospital, similar to the rights of a spouse. The surviving partner also has the right to receive compensation if a lawsuit is filed because of the death of their partner. This includes suits by the families of the deceased due to negligence, or wrong-doing. In addition, the surviving partner has the right to inherit their partner’s property if the deceased partner died without a will. The surviving partner may also be entitled to receive a portion of their partner’s Social Security benefits. In short, a civil union in Washington provides a variety of rights to a surviving partner. These rights include the right to make decisions concerning their partner’s final arrangements, receive compensation due to a lawsuit, inherit property, and receive a portion of Social Security benefits should their partner pass away.
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