"Gay Wedding"

[Romeo]

My cattery partner (remember the person with the fire?) and I still have cats in common, although he has decided to stop showing because he was not accepted into the judging program.  Now he hand his gay partner have decided to "get married" in California.  They are residents of a state that does not recognize gay marriage.  How does this impact anything I now have in common with him?  Does his "husband" now have the same rights to the joint bank account, insurance policy, cats, etc.? (which he is reticent to give up).

Thanks.

[Louisa]

Romeo, I have been hearing that the marriage laws are unequal between same-sex and opposite-sex marriages. I know that a spouse of any kind can inherit property if I understand right, but your best bet I would venture to guess would be to speak to an attorney on the matter to see.

[Carol]

Wow, that does bring up some good questions.  I have been wondering how that works if the gay couple is traveling.  Should one get hurt and be on life support, as health care professionals, what is our standing?  The marriage is only recognized in the state they were married in and if there is no advanced directives, we usually will just let the spouse decide out of the physician's courtesy.  Hmmmm....I'd better look up a seminar on this.  I'm not in hospital nursing any more but would love to know the answers.  Let us know what you find out Romeo.

[JoeF]

Interesting points.
I believe that California is a community property state where all assets earned or acquired during a marriage are split evenly. But I think you'd have to be a resident of the state.  Not  sure on same sex marriages.  On medical couldn't they both have a medical power of attorney on each other just in case?