New York Divorce Lawyer Lisa Beth Older points out that as of July 21, 2011 the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, held that with the imminent emergence of same sex marriage in New York, New York gay residents may dissolve a Vermont civil Union in New York. (Dickerson v. Thompson the Appellate Division (N.Y.A.D. 3 Dept.), 2011 N.Y. Slip Op. 06009).

A gay couple may secure dissolution of a civil union in most counties throughout New York. In the case of Dickerson v. Thompson, the Supreme Court in New York, Third Department held that same sex parties that entered into a civil union in Vermont may now dissolve their civil union in New York. The Court further noted that a trend has already started wherein other lower Supreme Courts located throughout New York are also granting relief to parties of gay civil unions in a manner similar to granting a New York divorce.

In a stunningly brave decision, this Supreme Court held that a New York Court may provide such equity to aggrieved gay couples as justice requires. It also held that the New York Supreme Court may exercise equitable powers, not just legal powers, if a New York resident is in need of a judicial remedy where none other exists elsewhere. Other New York Divorce courts have followed the lead of this higher Court in Monroe County, Erie County, New York County, Tompkins County and Onondaga County and Westchester. “It is about time that gay couples are finally being provided equal justice under the law,” says New York divorce lawyer Lisa Beth Older.

Full Story from SF Gate

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