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Civil Union Fact Sheet
Definition. “Civil union” means a union between two persons of the same sex established pursuant to specific ceremonial and administrative procedures set forth by Connecticut law. Thus, effective October 1, 2005, Connecticut has created a status for same-sex parties which is parallel to, but specifically separate from, marriage.
Legal Effect of Civil Union. “Parties to a civil union shall have all the same benefits, protections and responsibilities under [Connecticut] law, whether derived from the general statutes, administrative regulations or court rules, policy, common law or any other source of civil law, as are granted to spouses in a marriage.” Sec. 13, PA. 05-10. On the other hand, parties to a civil union are granted essentially no rights under federal law.
Terminating a Civil Union. The law governing terminating a marriage in Connecticut, commonly called “divorce” but more accurately defined as “dissolution” of marriage is applicable to terminating a civil union. The financial, parenting and emotional challenges confronted by the couple ending their marriage are shared by clients dissolving their civil union. Mediation, collaborative practice, binding arbitration and litigation are all options available to persons seeking to terminate or dissolve their civil union.
Using this Web Site. Throughout this web site, most but not all references to “divorce” or “marriage dissolution” apply as well to terminating or dissolving a civil union.
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