Washington state created a registry for domestic partners in 2007, making it possible for same sex couples to obtain certain rights and benefits. However, the state may soon go one step further and pass the gay marriage bill.

The bill may take months to come before the Senate, but if successful there it will go onto the state House where Democrats maintain a large majority. Gov. Christine Gregoire would still need to sign the bill into law, but she has recently endorsed the bill, as most Seattle area residents probably know.

If gay marriage does become legal in Washington, many registered domestic partners may take advantage of the new opportunity to make official their existing commitments. The rights afforded in a registered domestic partnership are similar, but not exactly the same as those of a marriage

A domestic partnership agreement is essentially a contract between two partners that assigns ownership to assets. As such, it is somewhat similar to an engaged couple drafting a prenuptial agreement.

And just as marriages do not always last, domestic partnerships sometimes do come to an end. And, like a marriage, a domestic partnership can be dissolved. In these cases, a family law attorney can help the partners to work through any resulting issues of property division, spousal support, custody and child support at the end of a domestic partnership.

If the gay marriage bill is approved, Washington will become the seventh state to legalize same sex marriage. New York, Massacusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Iowa all allow same sex marriage. It is legal in the District of Columbia as well.

Source: Reuters, "Washington state gay marriage proposal gets strong support," Nicole Neroulias, Jan. 13, 2012