Marriage Equality in Uncertain Times: What Same-Sex Couples Need to Know

Update: 2025-10-23

Description

During the current session of the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS), the justices may hear a case that could overturn Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), the landmark ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. If SCOTUS agrees to hear the case, it will re-surface the question of whether marriage equality should remain federally protected. Additionally, multiple states are engaged in a political strategy to fully challenge, or at least narrow, marriage equality in the United States. Understandably, these efforts pose serious concerns for same-sex couples and their allies.

Join Jeffrey Bellomo as he offers his thoughts on the likelihood that SCOTUS will hear the case (i.e., grant certiorari or grant cert), why a sweeping reversal of Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) is doubtful, what a narrow religious carve-out might look like, and how today’s federal laws protect same-sex married couples. You'll also learn why it's important to “get your documents in order” to secure legal protections for your family, regardless of SCOTUS intervention.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

(00:00 ) Episode introduction: Marriage Equality

(02:00 ) Free educational workshops

(03:02 ) Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), Loving v. Virginia (1967), and the Respect for Marriage Act (2022)

(04:19 ) Proponents of marriage equality are concerned

(05:20 ) Will the U.S. Supreme Court grant certiorari (i.e., hear a new case)?

(08:37 ) Instead of a full reversal, a carve-out could create an exception based on religious liberty

(13:11 ) PA’s inheritance tax rate differs greatly depending on whether a couple is legally married

(14:30 ) Having financial, medical, and other documents in place can protect you and your family

(18:36 ) Planning is essential for same-sex couples

(24:30 ) Same-sex marriages are treated like any other legal marriage in our workshops

ABOUT BELLOMO & ASSOCIATES

Jeffrey R. Bellomo, the founder of Bellomo & Associates, is a licensed and certified elder law attorney with a master’s degree in taxation and a certificate in estate planning. He explains complex legal and financial topics in easy-to-understand language.

Bellomo & Associates is committed to providing education so that what happened to the Bellomo family doesn’t happen to your family. We conduct free workshops on estate planning, crisis planning, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, probate administration, and trust administration. Visit our website (https://bellomoassociates.com/) to learn more.