Submitted by heidi223 (not verified) on Fri, 04/27/2012 - 1:51pm.
I have read the amendment. I also, however, know that our legal system is a very complicated and sometimes unintuitive animal. Wills, arrangements about child custody and hospital visitation rights are NOT necessarily considered contracts (this is bizarre, but so many things about our legal system and tax code are in fact bizarre). Employment agreements are considered contracts, so Amendment One would not impact the ability of private employers to offer benefits to unmarried couples. Because wills and custody agreements are not contracts, it very well might impact these things. Indeed, this is precisely why the non-partison commission in charge of explaining the amendment concluded that the full impact of the amendment will be decided by the courts.
I have read the amendment.
I have read the amendment. I also, however, know that our legal system is a very complicated and sometimes unintuitive animal. Wills, arrangements about child custody and hospital visitation rights are NOT necessarily considered contracts (this is bizarre, but so many things about our legal system and tax code are in fact bizarre). Employment agreements are considered contracts, so Amendment One would not impact the ability of private employers to offer benefits to unmarried couples. Because wills and custody agreements are not contracts, it very well might impact these things. Indeed, this is precisely why the non-partison commission in charge of explaining the amendment concluded that the full impact of the amendment will be decided by the courts.