Unmarried couples have new beneficiary rights in Colorado

July 1, 9:40 AMColorado Springs Sex and Relationships ExaminerJami Wright

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Up until today, unmarried couples in Colorado; had limited if not completely absent, beneficiary rights to their significant other.  Governor Bill Ritter signed a bill in April that changed all of that. Unmarried couples can enter into what is called “designated beneficiary agreement” allowing them many of the rights given to legal husbands and wives that surround financial and emergency medical decisions.

Prior to this law, which is the first of its kind in the U.S., unmarried couples (heterosexual or same sex) only real protection was to file for power of attorney. This was a costly venture. Now unmarried couples can contact their county clerk and recorders office or visit this site to get the agreements and complete details of what this law means to Coloradans.

Supporters for this law are excited about the equal rights allotted to heterosexual or same sex couples. The opposition for this law believe this is a step in legalizing same sex marriages. Regardless of your viewpoint, on either side, many must agree this is a great law that was passed.

There are many reasons why couples in relationships do NOT marry:
• They don’t believe in having a piece of paper to show you love someone.
• They have been married before and are receiving benefits as a widower.
• Perhaps they had financial trouble in the past and don’t want to drag their partner into a problem they are trying to fix.
• Their religion does not allow them to remarry.
• One partner has commitment issues.
• The couple is happier not married (been their done that)
• The law prohibits them from marriage.

The reasons can be endless but each one has value and merit for the couples that are not married. These couples can and do participate in everything that a married couple participates in but they are denied basic beneficiary rights because they lack a piece of paper stating they are committed to each other.

I know many couples that are unmarried and are extremely happy, more committed than most married couples (turn on the news and wait ten minutes you will undoubtedly hear about an affair), and will most likely be together until death do they part. Colorado has taken a stand and shown these couples, without discrimination, that they are equal and deserve the same rights. Great job Colorado! 
 

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