Alimony & Spousal Support

Pa. Judge Orders Clerk to Stop Issuing Marriage Licenses to Same-Sex Couples

Marriage licenses will no longer be given out to same-sex couples in Pennsylvania, a state judge has ruled, putting into limbo the legal status of more than 100 couples who married recently despite a long-standing ban on same-sex marriage in the state.

Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge Dan Pellegrini ordered Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes on Thursday to stop issuing the licenses, which 174 couples received since July 31.

Judge Pellegrini ruled that Mr. Hanes did not have the power to violate the state law defining marriage as between a man and a woman, which has been in place since 1996. Pennsylvania is one of 37 states that ban, or do not recognize same-sex marriage.

If you would like to read more, please click here.

Reference: The Christian Science Monitor (September 13, 2013) “Same-Sex Marriage: Pa. Judge Orders Clerk to Stop Issuing Licenses to Couples” & Family Law Prof Blog.

For more information about  Family Law Attorneys in Philadelphia, Chester or Montgomery Counties, PA, please visit our website: www.pozzuolofamilylaw.com