Although same-sex marriage is now legal nationwide, there is no federal recognition for domestic partners or civil union registrants, and many couples have messy and unresolved agreements and/or registrations that need to be cleaned up. Couples also need to consider whether they want to extend marital rights (and duties) retroactive to when they first starting living together as a couple, and those with children may need to resolve issues of legal parentage. All of these issues will be addressed in the new edition of "Making It Legal," which provides a brief history of the same-sex marriage movement, an overview of emerging trends, and a discussion of the factors involved in the personal decision to marry, including: Is a pre-nup agreement advisable and what does it involve? Whether you will be responsible for your partner s debts if you re married How to evaluate the effect of taxes on shared lives When to turn to professionals for help during disagreements When a will or living trust might be needed and more ".