The state of Illinois’s bankruptcy laws are still governed by the Defense of Marriage Act, also known as DOMA. This means that because DOMA officially lists spouses in a marriage as being of opposite sex, same sex couple cannot file for join bankruptcy under the law. This may not be set in stone however.
Recently, President Barack Obama instructed the Justice Department of the United States to stop enforcing this law in federal legal courts. This means that individual states such as Illinois are free to determine how to interpret DOMA in individual bankruptcy cases. So, can same sex couples file for joint bankruptcy? Maybe and maybe not.
Because DOMA is still legally on the books, a court can decide to uphold its legal terms for a spouse as being a member of the opposite sex. But with the Justice Department not enforcing these laws on a federal level, it means that individual states have the ability to change how they view a legal marriage. This means that same sex couples who want to file for joint bankruptcy should still try to see if an individual Illinois judge will grant them permission. Your best bet is to speak with a Chicago bankruptcy lawyer to see what your chances are.
A major problem that same sex couples may face includes the fact that creditors looking to collect from people filing for bankruptcy can petition the courts against allowing for same sex couples to claim joint status. This could give DOMA the backing and support it needs to remain on the books for good.
Many states are currently attempting to establish the constitutionality of DOMA on a state level. Any changes these states make, which include Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts, could have wide ranging effects on how other states interpret same sex marriage laws and bankruptcy proceedings. Same sex couples should continue to fight for equal treatment under bankruptcy laws. The more pressure is placed on individual state’s courts, the more likely these states are to reverse DOMA. Speaking to a Chicago bankruptcy attorney today could help you determine your best course of action.