CHICAGO — Since the Supreme Court decision on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) last year, 36% of the attorneys responding to a recent survey of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) have noted an increase in same-sex couples seeking legal advice. In addition, 44% have confirmed that they have handled same-sex marriage or related issues (cohabitation agreements, custody, and support for a same-sex spouse) during the same period of time.
“While further elevating the issue of same-sex marriage on a national scale, the Supreme Court decision on DOMA has also served to alert same-sex couples to the need to review their legal options depending on the laws of their particular state,” said Maria Cognetti, president of the AAML. “Interestingly enough, even our attorneys in states that currently don’t allow same-sex marriage have noted an increased number of consultations with same-sex couples to discuss cohabitation agreements and other legal strategies.”
Overall, 42% of the AAML respondents identified themselves as practicing in a state that allows same-sex marriage, while 51% are in states that don’t allow same-sex marriage or civil unions, and 7% are in states that allow for civil unions and domestic partnerships, but not same-sex marriage.
