On June 30, 2014, all registered domestic partners in the State of Washington will automatically become spouses, unless the partnership has been legally dissolved or is in the process of being dissolved, or if one partner is at least 62 years old.
Washington voters approved same-sex marriages and the law took effect on December 6, 2012. The legal benefits provided by becoming registered domestic partners apply to married couples in Washington as well and voters approved converting domestic partnerships to marriages for most couples effective June 30. When one of the partners is over the age of 62 and the couple wishes to remain in a domestic partner status (often to preserve benefits that would be impacted if a person marries), couples may do so.
For more information, see today’s article in the Everett Herald, or contact one of our family law attorneys: Laurie Ummel or Geoff Gibbs.