Legal Affairs : Essential Advice for Same-Sex Couples by Frederick Hertz For heterosexual folks, it is all very easy. "First comes love, then comes marriage..." and then comes a whole bunch of "rights which come automatically with the legal recognition of a marriage. Unfortunately, gay couples have to jump through hoops to give their relationships any legal protection at all. Frederick Hertz's new book "Legal Affairs: Essential Advice for Same-Sex Couples" is a good guide on just how to go about protecting one's relationship in an often hostile society. The book operates more as a general guide covering all aspects of same-sex relationships. The book is not a do-it-yourself guide, and people looking to avoid the cost of an attorney will be disappointed. Instead, the book excels on giving a couple accurate and thoughtful advice so they can walk into a lawyer's office with confidence. The first half of the book contains a guide to what the author refers to as "the happy times" -- marriage, domestic partnerships, moving in together, and adopting children. Hertz provides a brief summary of the history of the institution of marriage, and then discusses the details of just what married life entails. This is a good preparation for when same-sex marriage becomes a reality, but still falls under "wishful thinking" in our current political climate. More useful is the information on domestic partnerships, which are available in many locations, as well as coverage of things like living-together agreements, estate planning, and medical and financial powers-of-attorney, essential documents no committed couples should be without. Recognizing the sad fact that not all relationships are forever, Hertz delves into the legal aspects of "breaking up" in the book's second half. He discusses the important of living-together contracts, which in the absence of formal divorce, can help both partners leave the relationship fairly, and without the fighting and bitterness that so often occurs. He also discusses what the legal system offers, including the mechanics of child custody hearings, and non-traditional alternatives such as conflict mediation. Throughout the entire book, the author maintains an optimistic tone, and speaks in a clear voice, free from reliance on unnecessary legal jargon. It is almost like having a patient attorney answering one's questions, and any same-sex couple in a serious relationship would do well to pick up this book as a first step towards giving their relationship the legal protection it deserves. buy it!