Glossary
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S
SAME SEX UNIONS AND GAY RIGHTS
Same Sex Unions take place between people of the same sex. New Jersey, Vermont, and Connecticut are states that recognize the legal status of civil unions. Massachusetts is the only state in the Unites States which recognizes same-sex marriage. Canada also recognizes same-sex marriages.
SINGLE PARENT HOME
Where there are children and one parent either by choice, due to divorce, or due to a partner's death.
STOCK OPTIONS
These are vehicles offered by an employer for an employee to secure stocks in the company, often at a beneficial price. If stock options are not exercised during marriage, they do not constitute marital property, unless agreed to otherwise.
SPOUSAL SUPPORT AND SEPARATE MAINTENANCE
The monies which a lesser able spouse and/or dependent spouse secures for support during separation and prior to divorce. See Alimony Pendente Lite
SUPPORT GUIDELINES
Every state has Support Guidelines which determine the obligation of parents for child support by means of income, rather than by needs and expenses. Generally, there is a chart where an individual can determine his child support obligation by examining the charts for a combined income of both parents and the number of children. The chart will then show the amount of child support that should be paid based on that amount of children and total income of both parents.
SURROGACY
See In Vitro Fertilization and Frozen Embryos. When a woman cannot become pregnant and/or carry a baby to term, she can choose a surrogate to carry the fertilized egg to term to produce a child. The surrogate is paid for this service and relinquishes rights to the baby at birth. A contract exists between the birth parents and surrogate.
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