Civil Unions

What do Civil Unions mean?

In Fact, the first Civil Unions were established in Vermont in 2000. Some people associate civil unions with legal marriage. But there are some differences between heterosexual marriage and civil unions. Civil unions were created to protect gays and lesbians rights. They offer equal rights for homosexuals and give them an opportunity to get married. Unfortunately, these rights and responsibilities do not extend beyond states territory. Moreover the list of rights homosexuals can get is limited.
Nowadays several European countries and American states have joined Civil Unions. The other countries offer domestic partnership instead of civil unions.Domestic partnership gives less benefit to homosexual than civil unions give.
So, we can conclude that civil union is a legal partnership for same-sex couples. This partnership guaranties all rights and benefits, which spouses should have. But these rights are legal only on states level.

There are some conditions for forming civil union:
At first you should find out whether you must or not must be a resident of place, where you are going to form civil unions
The main condition is that partners must be of the same sex
They must be not elder than 18
Partners must not be already married or be divorced with their previous spouses
They also must not be in civil union with somebody else
One cant form civil union with the next of kin: parent, grandparent, sister or brother, uncle or aunt, nephew or niece, child or grandchild
Those who are under guardianship must receive a guardians permission for union. This permission must be in form of affidavit
Every party must be compos mentis

To form a civil union a couple should sign a license, which could be got from town clerk. This proves that both of them form union free will. To get this license one should offer the basic personal information. One could be also asked for some additional information about previous marriage experience, education, etc. All this information will be confidential and wont be recorded.

Usually the civil union ceremony is conducted by judge, justice or clergy. Each couple decides what exactly they want in their ceremony. But the presence of official is necessary, because this must certify the fact of forming civil union.

The procedure of dissolving a civil union is little more difficult than a usual divorce. Some countries do not require to be the resident of this country in order to create a civil union. But its obligatory for its dissolving. For instance, in Vermont at least one of partners should reside in this state a year or more. Only in this case the couple can dissolve its civil union.

The benefits, responsibilities and protections which could be got after forming a civil union:
The partners who have joined civil union have almost the same rights and responsibilitiesas heterosexual married couples have. Lets list a few of them:
A couple has the right to choose family residence and this residence should be protected by law
In case of civil union dissolving, parties have the right for compensation of contribution made by them.
The right of succession by one party in case of death of other one
The right of sharing the family patrimony in case of dissolving
Mutual financial support
Tax benefits and public assistance
Medical rights

So, its up to you to decide. As you can see, the procedure of forming civil unions is rather simple. After forming it, a couple gets some rights and benefits, but do not forget that it also gets obligations as well.
Moreover, the procedure of dissolving is rather difficult. We doubt that you or your spouse well move to Vermont or any other place and live there a year in order to dissolve.
Consider all advantages and disadvantages before taking your decision. Anyway, there are no obstacles for those who want to create a true, loving family.