Upcoming seminar focuses on legal strategies that gay, lesbian and unmarried couples can use to protect their rights.

NEWS RELEASE

Aug. 25, 2008

St. Louis – Gay, lesbian and unmarried couples can learn how to use partnership agreements, health care directives, wills and trusts to protect their legal rights at an upcoming free seminar presented by Marta J. Papa and Beth Lewandowski, St. Louis lawyers and mediators.

More and more same-sex couples are traveling to California and Massachusetts to be married—but, unfortunately, once they leave either state, these couples do not have the same legal rights as heterosexual married couples.

“You could plan a romantic vacation to California and tie the knot while you are there; however, all of the rights and responsibilities legally inherent to the marriage will not cross the border with you,” said Papa. “When you return home, you are simply an unmarried couple living together.”

As a result, same-sex and unmarried couples find themselves unable to make health care decisions for each other, won’t be able to stop family members from taking assets in the event that one of the partners dies, and may not even be able to visit each other in the intensive care unit.  Many do not realize that legal action can be taken to ensure that these couples will have the same rights as married couples in such situations.

The legal tools discussed at the seminar can also help unmarried couples who end a relationship by choice. In Missouri, assets belong to the person who purchased them. If one partner pays for a house and the other partner supplies the labor to rehab it, the rehabber could walk away empty-handed should the relationship come to an end. A partnership agreement mediated at the beginning of a relationship will ensure that assets are fairly distributed, protecting both parties if they decide to part ways. 

The free seminar, titled “Living Together? Learn How You and Your Partner Can Protect Your Rights,” is sponsored by The Attorneys of Alternative Agreements. To reserve seating at the event scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Rd., call 314-862-0202.

Marta J. Papa, P.C. is a St. Louis-based law firm that handles divorce litigation and provides mediation services to couples, families and businesses. For more information, e-mail Papa at marta@consideringdivorce.com or call 314-862-0202.

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Media contact: Geri L. Dreiling
Legal Media Matters LLC
314.743.3851 or 314.520.3897
legalmediamatters@sbcglobal.net