South Africa Affirms Partner Estate Rights

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/03/033106safEstate.htm

In what is being hailed as a landmark decision a South African court has ruled that a man whose partner died without leaving a will is entitled to the estate in the same way as a legally married spouse would be.

The ruling, by the Pretoria High Court, ends a lengthy dispute with the partner's family who claimed the men legally were nothing more than roommates.

Mark Gory and Henry Brooks met in 2003 and soon began a relationship. The following year they purchased a house and moved in together. But, the house and most of the couple's other joint possessions were in Brooks' name.

They shared all expenses and soon after they purchased their home the couple exchanged informal vows and wedding bands at a celebration attended by Brooks' parents.