Course Description/Goals:
The seminar will discuss the current state of marriage law in California and the US and will look at state and federal protections for gay marriage and what couples in California can expect in the future. The presenter will focus on the “what if” questions now that the Supreme Court is being asked to review Obergefell and states are looking to ban gay marriage at the state level. Estate planning for same sex couples has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. While California has strengthened protections for these couples, federal law is uncertain and unpredictable. Elise will talk about the past, present, and protections, which also touch on family law and tax law, and she will provide best practices for same sex couples to protect themselves and their loved ones through estate planning.