Some legal rights, protections and pitfalls facing gay couples under New Hampshire's civil union law:

BENEFITS:

• Access to information about family members' medical care and hospital rooms, and authority to act in matters affecting family members. Gay couples should prepare and sign durable power of attorney for health care documents to avoid problems with federal privacy laws, particularly out of state.

• Access to proceedings and information when a spouse dies - whether in an accident or as a crime victim.

• Legal standing to make funeral arrangements.

• Right to be placed in same room in a nursing home.

• Coverage under state-regulated family health plans. Includes access to state-regulated coverage similar to COBRA when laid off.

• State pension benefits if vested in the New Hampshire Retirement System.

• Inheritance without a will.

• Ability to transfer property to each other without paying state taxes.

• Ability to change names after the union by showing civil union certificate to government agencies, banks and others and simply stating a name preference.

• Pay or receive alimony and/or child support ordered by a court in a divorce.

• Ability to adopt as a stepparent.

PITFALLS:

• Legal status only recognized in a handful of states.

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