Obtaining a mortgage or car loan is sometimes difficult, since two people of the same sex living together are not considered a couple and therefore both incomes may not be considered in determining the appropriateness of a loan. If one member of the couple is injured or requires medical treatment, his or her partner may not be allowed to make medical decisions because the relationship is not legalized. Same-sex couples must take additional and necessary steps to ensure that their relationship will be treated with dignity and validity. Same-sex couples can obtain legal durable powers of attorney to protect their relationships. If a home or car is legally owned by one person, a will can specify who is to gain ownership if the individual dies.
Couples can also choose to have joint ownership of bank accounts, homes, cars, or other items.
This allows either member of the couple to make important decisions about legal or financial issues. Same-sex consensual sexual activity between adults is not illegal in the state of Indiana. Homosexual sexual activity is still outlawed in 24 states.