Is adoption still needed by a same-sex couple under Oregons new provisions for civil unions (Registered Domestic Partners)?
The challenge to extend the benefits and obligations of marriage to same-sex couples is a complicated discussion for many reasons. “Civil unions” are not the same as legal marriage, and there is controversy in the laws, constitutions, and court decisions, because they are remain in conflict with each other in Oregon; as the state laws remain in conflict with the federal laws on this subject. So we expect that the courts will be struggling to provide answers to many questions on a case-by-case basis for many years. The new law (HB 2007), did not take effect as planned on 1/1/2008 but is likely to take effect later this year. When it does, adoption will continue to be important for the couple who is registered as a domestic partnership (RDP), just as it is important for a married couple who are in a step-parent relationship. Consider: (1) If the legal mother was legally married to someone else at the time of “CONCEPTION” (as opposed to birth), then that former husband has a rebuttable pr
