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Originally Posted by errhead "no state need recognize a marriage not legally registered in that state"
kicks it back down to the states, allowing our 50 little laboratories of democracy to try a variety of different paths and get some experimental evidence on which works best |
that's a recipe for disaster if ever I heard one.
What happens when one member of a married couple happens to die whilst visiting a neighbouring state where their marriage is not considered legal?
Which next-of-kin is informed, and is legally entitled to perform the sad responsibilities of the final arrangements? The gay partner (who is legally next of kin in their home state, and is waiting in desperation in the hospital waiting room for news) or the third-cousin twice-removed who emigrated to Australia 19 years ago, who is the official next of kin according to the bigots in the state the hospital's in?