By Cory Bilton.
Same-sex couples were allowed to legally marry in the Commonwealth of Virginia this week. In a historic, but understated move, the Supreme Court denied certiorari on all of the same-sex marriage appeals as mere line items on an 89 page list without explanation. Later that same day, the 4th Circuit issued a mandate that the previous 4th Circuit opinion, finding that Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage impermissibly infringes on its citizens fundamental right to marry, was to take effect immediately. Same-sex couples all over Virginia were getting married by Monday afternoon. (Please accept my personal congratulations to everyone that got hitched in Virginia this week.) With legal recognition comes many new legal entitlements and obligations. Here are some of the new benefits and obligations same-sex couples will enjoy in personal injury cases and in civil litigation in Virginia.
