Southern California Family Law Attorney Blog

As more states follow the example of California and offer gays the right to marry, some are concerned that the next step is ensuring that these people also have the right to get divorced if the relationship turns sour. While divorce is common in opposite-sex marriages, there may not be enough research regarding gay divorce to determine exactly how important it is to offer this option to couples. Some states are working to enact divorce laws for gay couples even as they push for the rights for gays to marry in their particular state.

Colorado is one state that allows gay couples to divorce regardless of whether they have residency in the state or not. Although the state does not offer gay marriage to couples, recent changes to civil union laws offer divorce protection for those who entered into marriage or partnership relationships in other states.

The first gay divorce was recently finalized in the state for one couple who married in Massachusetts in 2009. Supporters of Colorado’s new laws feel that they will go a long way toward protecting gay people involved in marriages and ensuring that they don’t lose everything in a divorce.

Regardless of whether gay marriage is accepted in a state or considered right or wrong by the citizens, divorce may be a serious issue to discuss in regards to same-sex relationships. Any person involved in a gay marriage that is contemplating a divorce may benefit from consulting an attorney who can advise them on current laws and the best ways to protect themselves.

Source: Huffington Post, "Colorado’s first gay divorce finalized," July 30, 2013