(Great Neck) – Signed into law by Governor Cuomo on June 24, 2011, and going into effect thirty days hence, the Marriage Equality Act grants same-sex couples the legal right to marry in New York State, and affords them all of the rights and privileges previously reserved for the traditional man-woman marriage. So as not to unduly intrude into religious or moral beliefs, the law also provides a type of immunity for any member of the clergy who refuses to officiate over a same-sex marriage, and for any religious institution or “benevolent corporation” (such as Knights of Columbus) that may refuse to rent a social hall to a same-sex couple.

Lloyd Rosen, a matrimonial and family law attorney states “This should open up a floodgate of newly filed marriage licenses throughout New York State, and should also result in a large number of individuals who need to consider protecting themselves in the event of a divorce, with a prenuptial agreement, for example.”

Since same sex couples could not marry in New York previously, many same sex couples will be marrying later in life. Many will be further along in their careers and have accumulated assets, making a prenup even more important.

The law firm of Wisselman, Harounian and Associates, P.C. is located in Great Neck, NY and was established in 1976 and is a highly regarded litigation firm with a primary concentration in matrimonial and family law.