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Child Support Enforcement - Sarpy County Nebraska

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† A total of 9 states, two tribes (the Coquille Indian Tribe in Oregon and the<br />

Suquamish Tribe in Washington State) plus the District of Columbia have approved same<br />

sex marriage as of autumn 2012. As of November 2012 this list includes:<br />

Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,<br />

New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and Washington State.<br />

California also recognizes the 18,000 same sex marriages that were performed in<br />

the Golden Bear State before the state law changed to stop same sex marriage in 2008. In<br />

addition, a federal court has declared that the California initiative blocking same sex<br />

marriages violates the federal constitution. This case is now on the calendar of the US<br />

Supreme Court, and oral arguments will be held in spring 2013.<br />

Massachusetts approved same sex marriage in 2005. Iowa began issuing same sex<br />

marriage licenses in April 2009 (some 13,000 couples were married in the first year).<br />

Connecticut also began issuing licenses in early 2009. California’s judicial marriage ruling<br />

was rescinded by popular vote in 2008, however the results of that election were ruled<br />

unconstitutional by a federal court, and as indicated the appeal is now before the US<br />

Supreme Court.<br />

In addition, the states of California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, N.J., Nevada, and<br />

Oregon have approved full civil union legislation that has many (or all) of the same effects<br />

of marriage for same sex (and in some instances opposite sex) couples. California’s<br />

Supreme Court ruled in May, 2009 that while the voters could restrict the word “marriage”<br />

to unions of one man and one woman, homosexual couples must be afforded all the rights<br />

and privileges associated with the institution of marriage, just under another name, such as<br />

“civil union.”<br />

Until the US Supreme Court rules on two cases now on its docket no one really<br />

knows how this will play out on an interstate basis.<br />

In addition, about two dozen foreign nations recognize either same sex civil unions<br />

or marriages, or both (this number seemingly increases by the month). Argentina, Belgium,<br />

Canada, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay<br />

and portions of Mexico apply their marriage laws equally to all citizens. A list of nations<br />

that <strong>Nebraska</strong> maintains reciprocity with can be found under the “Reciprocity” subject<br />

heading.<br />

The reader is advised to verify the status of any same sex marriage or civil union<br />

performed outside <strong>Nebraska</strong> through independent sources, as this is the most fluid area of<br />

family law at the present time.<br />

Hills v. State, 61 Neb. 589, 85 N.W. 836 (1901)<br />

If marriage is valid where celebrated, it is valid in this state.<br />

Second Families/Step-parents<br />

Brooks v. Brooks, 261 Neb. 289, 622 N.W.2d 670 (2001)<br />

We conclude that there is no precise mathematical formula applicable to situations<br />

where a court deviates from the guidelines when children from subsequent<br />

relationships are involved. Subsequent familial relationships vary widely from case to<br />

case. When a deviation from the guidelines is appropriate, the trial court should<br />

consider both parents’ support obligations to all children involved in the<br />

relationships. In considering the obligation to those subsequent children, the trial<br />

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