Lance Bass, former pop star of the boy band *N-Sync, gained additional notoriety in 2006 when he came out to the media announcing that he is gay. Recently Lance’s ex boyfrined, Reichen Lehmkuh, former winner on the television show “The Amazing Race,” sent a letter to Lance’s rep threatening to sue Lance for the defamatory remarks the star allegedly made about Reichen in an interview for GQ magazine.

Because Lance and Reichen were not registered as domestic partners, there were none of the legal ramifications normally associated with a divorce. Lance and Reichen have probably made the personal choice not to register as Domestic Partners, but there is also a possibility that they did not meet the requirements for domestic partnership established by California (Family Code Section 297-297.5)

Who can register as Domestic Partners in California?

Same sex couples – or heterosexual couples over the age of 62 – who meet certain requirements can register as domestic partners in California. A couple is not legally recognized as domestic partners unless they are registered in California.

What Does It Mean to be Domestic Partners?

All couples who are registered as Domestic Partners will have all the rights and obligations as married couples. This means that community property laws apply – so, any property obtained during the partnership or any monies earned will become community property.

Without being registered Lance and Reichen (like any other couple) are not afforded the protection of California marital laws, or subject to community property laws. So aside from the civil defamation suit, we shouldn’t be seeing the couple in court – and definitely not in Family Court.