For Immediate Release  Contact: Frances Larose, Liz Rosinski    flarose@prmagic.com, 650-548-6700

What Same Sex Couples Need to Know While Traveling

San Francisco, CA, June 5, 2013)---While great strides have been made in some parts of the country in recognizing the relationships of same sex couples, the fact is that not all regions throughout the country offer the same levels of protection. Depending on where you are, local laws may not always respect your California rights as married couples or domestic partners. Because of this, legal documents that help protect your rights as a partner or spouse should be easily accessible when traveling out of state or you could end up in a situation such as not being allowed to have a hospital visitation. Steve Branton, CFP® Professional and an Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor (ADPA) at Mosaic Financial Partners, discusses the importance of having your personal documentation instantly available via smart phone, tablet or laptop.

Why is it Important to have Documentation Easily Accessible?

Unforeseen events can occur when you are away from home, and not all places are the same. (See Infograph below) One of the worst cases was a tragedy seen in Florida in 2009 when a partner and their children were kept from her dying partner's bedside by a Miami hospital. Much has changed since then, and hospitals are much more likely to honor legal documents after the changes ordered by President Obama in the wake of the Florida events. However, without the correct documents, you have a good chance of being denied access to your spouse in a non-registration state that does not recognize gay marriage.

To avoid this scenario, the following papers should be kept easily accessible in order to ensure that your rights as a couple are recognized:

• Medical Directive

• Healthcare Power of Attorney

• HIPAA authorization

Additional documentation to have readily available includes copies of your ID such as drivers' licenses and passports, marriage license, and certificates of adoption.

Easy and Affordable Storage Solutions for Instant Access to Documents

The most secure and affordable storage solution for your documents is in the cloud. The reason why cloud storage services are gaining in popularity is that these give users the ability to store important documents in one virtual location and accessibility from anywhere via the Internet.


Image via John Gara / Buzzfeed

About Mosaic Financial Partners: The firm's mission is to improve their clients' lives by providing caring, knowledgeable financial solutions and customized advice to help their clients attain their lifetime goals and aspirations. Committed to helping businesses, families, and individuals in the greater Bay Area, MFP's integrated team empowers members of the community to make personal financial decisions and achieve their dreams. For more information about MFP go to www.mosaicfp.com or call 415-788-1952.