Though some believe recent developments signal the end is near for the Defense of Marriage Act, the 1996 law still has the power to inflict damage on same-sex couples in the U.S, experts say.
Surviving partners can lose substantial income after the death of a loved one whose pension is not transferable under federal law; bi-national couples can face decisions about moving abroad to be able to stay together; and some couples' tax burden is double that of other married couples because they don't qualify as legal spouses under federal law, experts note.
