Federal Student Loan Agency Recognizes Same-Sex Marriage

Is someone in your family planning to apply for federal student aid? A recent change may affect the results. The U.S. Department of Education just announced that it will recognize students' and parents' same-sex marriages in determining federal student loan eligibility. Depending on the particular circumstances, this change could mean either an increase or decrease in the aid received.

Unfortunately, college still requires a lot of Benjamins.
Photo used under Creative Commons license from @401(K) 2013 on Flickr.

Education secretary Arne Duncan wrote, "We must continue to ensure that every single American is treated equally in the eyes of the law, and this important guidance for students is another step forward in that effort... As students fill out their FAFSA this coming year, I'm thrilled they'll be able to do so in a way that is more fair and just.”

The changes are effective immediately, although updated forms are not yet available. Students may file an amended FAFSA to make sure their aid is calculated correctly.

 

For more details, please see: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/12/16/education-department-recognizes-same-sex-marriages-student-aid-purposes#ixzz2nfmLF48P

AG Coakley Files Brief Arguing Against DOMA

The Boston Globe reported that Attorney General Martha Coakley filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a decision by the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that struck down parts of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) because the law violated equal protection rights. Coakley said in statement, "The Defense of Marriage Act is a discriminatory and unconstitutional law that harms thousands of families in Massachusetts and takes away our state's right to extend marriage equality to all couples." DOMA defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Even in states where same-sex marriage is legal, DOMA prevents same-sex couples from qualifying for federal marriage benefits. If the U.S. Supreme Court selects this case, it will be the first time the Court will review a question related to same-sex marriage.

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Glickman Turley's experienced attorneys represent individuals on a wide range of immigration matters, as well as other legal issues. Please contact our attorneys if you wish to discuss representation on immigration matters, real estate purchase and sales, condominium associations, criminal defense, non-profit law, civil litigation, business litigation, business law, trademark law, probate matters including wills, powers of attorney, health care proxy, same-sex co-parent adoptions, guardianships, animal law, or LGBT legal matters.  

Federal District Court in New York Holds DOMA Unconstitutional

The U.S District Court in the Southern District of New York found that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, taking its cues from a recent First Circuit decision holding the same.

Edith "Edie" Windsor and the late Thea Spyer married in 2007 in Canada after living together for 44 years. Spyer died in 2009, leaving her property to Windsor. In a heterosexual marriage, the decedent's estate would have passed to the spouse without any estate tax. Here, Windsor had to pay over $363,000 in estate taxes because DOMA prevents the recognition of same-sex marriages for federal purposes.

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Glickman Turley's experienced attorneys represent individuals on a wide range of immigration matters, as well as other legal issues. Please contact our attorneys if you wish to discuss representation on immigration matters, real estate purchase and sales, condominium associations, criminal defense, non-profit law, civil litigation, business litigation, business law, trademark law, probate matters including wills, powers of attorney, health care proxy, same-sex co-parent adoptions, guardianships, animal law, or LGBT legal matters.  

DOMA is Unconstitutional, Says 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston

The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. DOMA is a federal law enacted in 1996 that defines marriage as the legal union between one man and one woman. The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals held that "a law that denies a host of federal benefits to gay married couples" is discriminatory, according to The Boston Globe.

President Obama announced in 2011 that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) would not defend DOMA and whether it is constitutional in court. House Speak John Boehner led an effort to organize the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group to defend DOMA in place of the DOJ.

For more on this breaking story, click here.

Glickman Turley's experienced attorneys represent individuals on a wide range of immigration matters, as well as other legal issues. Please contact our attorneys if you wish to discuss representation on immigration matters, real estate purchase and sales, condominium associations, criminal defense, non-profit law, civil litigation, business litigation, business law, trademark law, probate matters including wills, powers of attorney, health care proxy, same-sex co-parent adoptions, guardianships, animal law, or LGBT legal matters.