EDGE on the Net

Although the U.S. incentivizes marriage with lower tax rates, insurance benefits and property rights, these benefits have not been extended to LGBT couples.

"Most states do not recognize lesbian and gay relationships," says attorney Joan M. Burda. "The laws in those states were not written with the legal rights of lesbian and gay couples in mind. Many states predicate their property statutes on marriage"

Not all couples put a ring on it, but living together without getting married doesn’t preclude the possibility of a prenup-like agreement - just in case love doesn’t last.