Domestic Partnerships

I have significant experience in planning for registered or unregistered domestic partnerships and the unique challenges regarding estate planning, taxes, protecting your relationship, and protecting the rights of your family. With the passage of the Oregon Family Fairness Act, the rules for same sex couples have changed.

Before you and your partner rush to the county clerk to get your Domestic Partnership Certificate, there are important financial, legal, and tax ramifications that you should be aware of.

While I fully support the principle behind the "OFFA", I want to help you determine if it is the right step for your family. The decision to register can be an extremely personal and emotional one.

Even with registration, your family may not be adequately protected or provided for should something happen to you or your partner. Until there is national recognition of same sex unions, additional planning and documents will be necessary.

Not all couples in our society are afforded the same protections. Even if current laws do not provide gay men and women the same choices and protections as their heterosexual counterparts, there are things you can do to protect you, your partner, and your family. I have extensive experience helping domestic partners craft documents and an overall plan to insure that their assets and families are protected. Domestic partners face unique challenges in estate and tax planning issues. Let me put my experience to work for your family.