Legal marriage conveys upon the couple a wide variety of rights and responsibilities. Because each state creates its own set of marriage laws, the laws number between 170-to-350 depending on the state. Within the Federal system, more than 1,138 laws are triggered by legal marriage. [See U.S. Federal Laws for the Legally Married.] The following lists some of the typical rights conferred by the state and federal governments.
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State-Granted Legal Marriage Rights
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- Assumption of Spouse’s Pension
- Automatic Inheritance
- Automatic Housing Lease Transfer
- Bereavement Leave
- Burial Determination
- Child Custody
- Crime Victim’s Recovery Benefits
- Divorce Protections
- Domestic Violence Protection
- Exemption from Property Tax on Partner’s Death
- Immunity from Testifying Against Spouse
- Insurance Breaks
- Joint Adoption and Foster Care
- Joint Bankruptcy
- Joint Parenting (Insurance Coverage, School Records)
- Medical Decisions on Behalf of Partner
- Certain Property Rights
- Reduced Rate Memberships
- Sick Leave to Care for Partner
- Visitation of Partner’s Children
- Visitation of Partner in Hospital or Prison
- Wrongful Death (Loss of Consort) Benefits
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A couple married by a state government is automatically granted a broad range of rights at the federal level. In addition, marriage partners of federal employees, such as civil servants and members of the military, enjoy a broad range of benefits.
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Federally-Granted Legal Marriage Rights
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- Access to Military Stores
- Assumption of Spouse’s Pension
- Bereavement Leave
- Immigration
- Insurance Breaks
- Medical Decisions on Behalf of Partner
- Sick Leave to Care for Partner
- Social Security Survivor Benefits
- Sick Leave to Care for Partner
- Tax Breaks
- Veteran’s Discounts
- Visitation of Partner in Hospital or Prison
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