Legal aid

Holding a civil marriage in Mass. won't afford us any legal rights.

Kelley won't automatically inherit my hand-painted, German bookshelf -- or even our dog -- if I die. I won't be able to make medical decisions if she becomes incapacitated later this week when she undergoes outpatient surgery. A hospital visit may also be denied.

Fortunately, there are Web sites that provide all the information and forms needed to cement our relationship in the eyes of the law.

I recently downloaded power of attorney and living will forms from Illinois Legal Aid Online, and it looks like a visit to the office and/or a notary public can make them official. Find them at www.illinoislegalaid.org.

Also of note is the Civil Foundation, which defines itself as a "membership organization devoted to helping committed unmarried couples establish and protect rights and privileges enjoyed by married people." Find it at www.civilfoundation.org.

The movement in Chicago is toward recognizing our relationship whether we are "married" or not.

Kelley just got a job with Cook County, which grants health insurance to domestic partners. We registered the first day it was offered, Oct. 1, 2004.

Her doctor requested my presence Tuesday so we could get the results of some medical tests together. He also sought her permission to release medical information to me if need be.