The U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Same-Sex Marriage Nationwide

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On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that our Constitution guarantees the right of marriage to all Americans—including same-sex couples. The decision effectively legalized same-sex marriage nationwide and has been hailed as major civil rights victory for our country.

Attorney Anthony Kennedy was instrumental in the split 5-4 decision among the justices. He wrote passionately about the decision following the ruling, not only on the importance of marriage in our society, but the long journey activists in the LGBT community have had to take to have their voices heard. “Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions,” he wrote. “They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”

President Obama also spoke in favor of the decision later that day. To an audience in the White House Rose Garden, he called the decision a victory for America. “This morning, the Supreme Court recognized that the Constitution guarantees marriage equality,” he said in his address. “In doing so, they have reaffirmed that all Americans are entitled to the equal protection of the law; that all people should be treated equally, regardless of who they are or who they love.”

CHANGES FOR NEW YORK SAME-SEX COUPLES

Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2011, but that was a state decision that did not give same-sex couples access to federal marriage benefits. These benefits, however, have now been made available by the Supreme Court decision last month.

New federal benefits for same-sex couples include:

  • Joint federal income tax filings
  • Estate tax portability
  • Veteran and military benefits
  • Federal employment benefits
  • Social security spousal survivor benefits
  • Social security retirement benefits
  • Social security lump-sum death benefits

Any one of these new benefits could affect a family law matter that concerns finances. If you believe that your divorce, separation, prenuptial agreement, or any other family law issue could be affected by these new federal marriage benefits, then we invite you to contact us at the Law Offices of Susan A. Kassel, P. C. today. We have over two decades of legal experience in this practice area and have long been supporters and advocates of same-sex rights in New York. We are now prepared to help you and your partner, husband, or wife parse these new federal marriage benefits and assess how they may affect a current or anticipated family law or divorce issue.

If you need strong legal representation regarding matters of divorce, family law, and estate law, contact the Law Offices of Susan A. Kassel, P.C. to schedule a consultation today. 

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What Our Clients Are Saying

I hired Susan to represent me in a divorce matter where I was fighting for custody and to limit my wife's equitable share of our assets. I won custody of our son, kept the marital residence, kept my professional practice, kept my building and paid less than half to my wife. This was after a long-term marriage. She could persuade the court that equitable is not equal and sometimes the man does deserve to win!

‐ Dave

I first must say that I had been represented by two prior attorneys both of whom had simply taken my money and left me nothing to show for it in my custody case. They kept telling me what they were doing for me but I found out they were lying. Susan on the other hand had gotten me temporary custody and support for my children and myself within two months of hiring her. I cannot say enough about her.

‐ Craig

After talking to a few other attorneys, I hired Susan to represent me in my divorce and custody dispute. I was reluctant to go with her because she was the cheapest out of all the other attorneys I met with, but I'm so glad I did. I am 100% positive no one else would have done such a great job with my case as Susan and her staff. Her work is quality, her staff is reliable and her character is honorable. There...

‐ Linda

I had a very difficult case where I had already burned through two attorneys who were unable to get me custody of my children and complete my divorce. Susan was able to rapidly work out an agreement and not let it just malinger on like my previous experiences. She was also considerate of my financial situation unlike all of the other lawyers I had spoken to. I highly recommend her if you want complete and caring service with an in-depth knowledge of...

‐ Joanne

SERVING ALL OF SUFFOLK COUNTY

The Law Offices of Susan A. Kassel, P.C. proudly serves clients throughout Suffolk County, New York in their divorce, family law, and estate planning matters. If you require the services of an experienced Suffolk County attorney, schedule a consultation with The Law Offices of Susan A. Kassel, P.C. today.

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