Prominent Los Angeles Family Law Firm Offers Top Ten Check List for Same-Sex Couples Marrying in California

    1.  Seek out the services of a California CPA -- who understands gay
        marriage and its tax implications. For instance, while same-sex
        couples receive state-level benefits they do not receive the same
        considerations on a federal level. That includes the tax benefits,
        deductions, and even social security benefits granted to heterosexual
        couples. A well-seasoned and up-to-date CPA will know how to guide a
        same-sex couple in all his/her tax planning.
    2.  Confer with an investment advisor -- even though you may get sound
        advice from your accountant, it will be of benefit to obtain advice
        from an investment specialist who can help you plan for retirement,
        find ways to maximize your investments, and set up IRA's, money-market
        accounts and other investments to secure you and your mate's future.
    3.  Hire a Wills/ Estates planning attorney -- and get your records in
        order. Though most couples-especially younger couples-do not plan on
        dealing with an early demise of his/her mate, making sure that such
        documents as a Physician's Directive, Last Will and Testament, and
        Living Trust are in place. The last thing any surviving spouse wants
        to deal with is the turmoil surrounding a catastrophic incident or the
        death of a spouse when "wishes" have not been clearly defined.
    4.  Seek out the advice of a family law attorney -- to inquire if you and
        your fiance should have a prenuptial agreement in place. You and your
        soon-to-be spouse may have assets worth protecting: those properties
        and items that you are bringing with you into the marriage. Though
        your intentions are good, just as they are with any other couple, the
        divorce rate in California exceeds 50% and is rising. You may also
        want to ask your family law attorney how best to handle your marital
        arrangement in the face of the worst case scenario relative to the
        November ballot initiative outcome and the California Supreme Court's
        ultimate decision. Ask how it will impact your marriage.
    5.  Ask your insurance company representative(s) -- if all your needs are
        being met in view of your marital status. Changing the names of
        beneficiaries, opting for additional coverage, and changing names on
        policies is critical. This is especially important if either party has
        children from a prior relationship, or as a couple you plan to have
        children of your own.
    6.  Chat with your banker -- to find out what type of accounts the two of
        you should set up. Also, ask which accounts should be kept separately
        and which ones jointly. Should you have a safety deposit box? What
        should you store in it? Ask. Your banker will have you and your mate's
        best interests in mind and be able to help you get organized and/or
        plan.
    7.  Change your existing records to reflect both spouses' names -- these
        might include utility companies, cable services, credit cards and
        service providers (e.g. your gardener) that you both use. If you have
        existing accounts, add your spouse. You can also close the account in
        a sole name and open a new one in both names.
    8.  Sign up for some pre-marriage counseling -- it is always a good idea
        to confer with your spiritual adviser or family therapist before the
        ceremony to handle any unresolved differences between the two of you.
        This individual should be someone the two of you can counsel with
        should any difficulties arise in your marriage.
    9.  Read the new amendment and understand its meaning -- because it is
        important that you are well-versed and well-informed as to your
        rights, privileges and responsibilities
    10. Join political action groups and other organizations -- dedicated to
        seeing the defeat of Proposition 8, the fall California ballot
        initiative that seeks to amend the constitution, invalidating gay
        marriage. Although California tends to be more accepting of gay and
        lesbian unions than many other states, there is still sure to be
        strong support for the proposition.

Nachshin & Weston, assisting gay and lesbian couples since the inception of the firm in the early 90s, offers clients a full range of family law services. Bob Nachshin and Scott Weston are best known for their precedent-setting win in the Barry Bonds prenuptial case where the pair prevailed on Bonds' behalf before the California Supreme Court. The two are the authors of I Do, You Do ... But Just Sign Here: A Quick and Easy Guide to Cohabitation, Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements. Both are available for interviews on the topic of gay and lesbian marriage. For more information visit: http://www.nwdivorce.com.

SOURCE Nachshin & Weston

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