Blog: DOMA

Many people are drawn to live and work in Florida because of its beautiful weather. Other people are drawn to Florida because it has no state income tax. If you are a married same-sex couple (SSC) or, have a domestic partnership or civil union there are several important real estate ownership issues you should consider…

National Healthcare Decisions Day Affects Everyone Including the LGBT Community Last night I had the pleasure of listening to and speaking with Nadine Smith the CEO of Equality Florida at the Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale in observance of National Healthcare Decisions Day. Nadine is an inspiring and motivating advocate for all people. She helped…

Retired and active military are entitled to designate their surviving spouse to receive the pension upon the veteran’s death.  This is called the ‘survivor benefit plan.’ This benefit plan provides up to 55% of the veteran’s pension and helps many widows and widowers avoid financial hardship.  As a result of the United States Supreme Court’s…

FINALLY – I.R.S. RECOGNIZES SAME-SEX MARRIAGES FOR TAX PURPOSES While there have been many positive developments for the LGBT community since the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Windsor on June 26, 2013, I think the most notable is the U.S. Treasury’s press release of August 29, 2013. There is no more uncertainty when it…

Deadline: File Today for Your LGBT Federal Employee Benefits As a result of the United States Supreme Court’s opinion in Windsor, the Office of Personnel Management announced on July 3, 2013 that same-sex spouses and children of married LGBT federal employees and annuitants will now be eligible for federal benefits (if married prior to June 26,…

Bob Dylan sang ‘the times they are a changing.’ Now is definitely one of those times. Since the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Windsor (holding that the Defense of Marriage Act violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution and is unconstitutional) there has been change afoot to provide federal rights to…

Hot Off The Press – Scotus Rules – It’s Official At 10:15 a.m. today the United States Supreme Court published its opinion in U.S. v. Windsor ruling that “DOMA is unconstitutional as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment.” It is a historic day in our nation’s…

On Thursday June 6, 2013 I presented at The Pride Center in Wilton Manors for National Gay Pride Month.  I spoke about important legal developments for the LGBT community.  In case you were not able to attend here’s a recap: February 2013  The Department of Defense issues a memo stating that military departments will now…