The
Government has published proposals to enshrine a legal status for same-sex
relationships, that would extend the rights and responsibilities of gay
couples.
Under
a new Civil Partnership scheme those registered would gain legal recognition of
their relationship along with a range of new rights, including joint state
pensions.
Currently
gay couples have no way of being formally recognised, but the new laws would
enable them to make a legal commitment to each other.
A
number of rights and responsibilities would flow from Civil Partnership
registration to help couples to organise their lives together.
Rights
and responsibilities during the partnership might include:
–
joint state pension benefits
–
ability to gain parental responsibility for each other’s children
–
obligation to maintain each other financially.
Rights
and responsibilities following the death of one partner might include:
–
right to register the death of a partner
–
right to claim a survivor pension;
–
eligibility for bereavement benefits
–
compensation for fatal accidents or criminal injuries
–
recognition under inheritance and intestacy rules
–
tenancy succession rights.
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