All couples in long-term relationships must learn how to tackle financial decisions together.

But gay and lesbian couples face additional challenges, thanks to confusing and ever-changing laws.

This post originally appeared atNerdWallet.

What Is Our Current Financial Situation?

Stone recommends all couples start by addressing big-picture financial issues with each other.

How much do you spend and how much do you save?

What Does Retirement Look Like for Us?

Josh Stoffregen is director of global communications at Prudential Financial and works with Mahaney on LGBT initiatives.

Should We Get Married?

And How Will Taxes Work?

And another factor to consider is what’s called the marriage penalty.

Another reason to hold off on marriage is if one partner has a child nearing college.

Despite these drawbacks, getting married does offer some financial perks.

Mahaney says receiving eligibility for Social Security could be a reason to consider marriage.

The same goes for writing a check to the partner for more than $14,000.

When couples are legally married, though, money can be shared freely with each other.

What Happens to Our Assets When We Die?

It’s a misconception that wills are only for people with tons of money, Loewy says.

According to the law, your estate goes to a blood relative.

She also recommends both partners get a power of attorney.

These decisions can affect your finances.

An estate planning attorney can create these forms for you and your partner.

But they didn’t plan as carefully with money.

“Over the years we discussed wanting certain people to have certain things, but nothing was in writing.

Because of this, Kim’s adult daughter from a previous marriage inherited everything by default.

Fortunately, the daughter respected their relationship and made sure Roberts was taken care of.

What Happens If We Break Up?

Unmarried same-sex couples in it for the long haul may want to create a cohabitation agreement.

While it’s not commonly thought of this way, Loewy says divorce provides an orderly system with protections.

How Can We Ensure Our Kids are Financially and Legally Protected?

For example, who will take care of the children if something happens to one or both of you?

How can you plan to confirm the child has money for college?

If there is another parent in the picture, how will you split financial obligations with them?

She says it’s critical for couples to educate themselves on their state laws regarding parental rights and adoption.

Further Resources

Same-sex couples should consider meeting with a financial planner to help with these decisions.

Photos by Tina Mailhot-Roberge,Sigvard.Alarcon,masterdesigner,Miran Rijavec,Robert Vitulano, andExaminer.com.