About a month ago the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell vs. Hodges required all states to issue a marriage license between people of the same sex, and it required all states to recognize same-sex marriage validly performed in other jurisdictions. Not only is the decision a landmark civil rights victory for same-sex couples, it has important legal and financial ramifications as well. Prior to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell, same-sex couples were not only denied the right to marry, or have their marriage recognized in all states, but were also denied the legal and financial protections that heterosexual married couples enjoyed. For example, in Ohio prior to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell, same-sex couples had to engage in more complicated estate planning to protect their same-sex partners upon the event of one partner’s death. Post Obergefell, same-sex couples who are married will receive the same benefits that heterosexual couples have enjoyed in Ohio regarding inheritance rights. When one person in a marriage dies, the surviving spouse has certain legal rights and protections that will now apply to the surviving spouse in a same-sex marriage. One of the rights of a surviving spouse is to have the right to reside in the residence for a period of up to one year. In Ohio, it is also not possible to disinherit a spouse, which is an added protection for the surviving spouse. The Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell is an important victory for same-sex couples, giving those couples that are married the same protections that heterosexual couples have enjoyed. It is important to consider the practical impacts of the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell for same-sex married couples when considering many legal and financial issues, including estate planning and the rights of a surviving spouse.