A civil union is a legally recognized relationship that is similar to marriage and granted by the State of Illinois. Illinois residents who enter into civil unions are granted the same rights, legal obligations, responsibilities, and protections as married spouses. The same rights, obligations, responsibilities and protections granted in Illinois are not recognized by federal law.
The Civil Union Act was passed in Illinois on June 1, 2011. It's also known as the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act (750 ILCS 75/). Civil unions were originally an alternative to marriage by same-sex couples who weren't granted the right to marry. They apply to both same-sex and opposite-sex partnerships, however.
Civil unions vs. marriages
Despite marriage being legal for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples, people may enter into civil unions to avoid the religious connotation associated with traditional marriages. Many people also want to avoid large and expensive wedding ceremonies. Couples in civil unions share these same benefits as married spouses such as:
- The right to designate a partner as a beneficiary in an estate plan
- The right to be covered under the same health insurance plan
- Medical decision-making rights
- Joint parental rights
- Joint property ownership
- Alimony if a civil union is dissolved
- Filing state taxes jointly
These federally-recognized rights are not granted:
- Immigration rights for non-citizens
- Social security benefits
- Filing federal taxes jointly
What legal challenges do those in a civil union face?
Those in a civil union face many of the same legal challenges as married spouses. That's because, like married spouses, they may have:
- Birthed or adopted children together
- Acquired joint property, such as a house or car
- Opened a business together
- Shared the same bank accounts or investments
This means that if a civil union is dissolved, the separating partners will need to go through the same process as divorcing spouses. If you're planning on dissolving a civil union in Illinois, you will need to file a Petition for Dissolution of a Civil Union.
Contact our law firm for legal help
Splitting up can be an emotionally and legally complex process. During the process of dissolving a civil union, you may be faced with issues regarding child custody and child support, as well as the division of property and assets. You may not be sure what legal rights you have or what course of action to take. The attorneys at Courtney Clark Law P.C. are dedicated to helping non-traditional families in Illinois sort out these complexities.
Our attorneys would like to meet with you, review the details surrounding your case and help you pursue the best possible legal course of action. Contact us online to schedule your free case consultation with our legal team.