1. why do you think preventing spousal and domestic abuse should be a concern of the government? do you think it should? back up your answers with evidence from the reading. 

2. a big debate is raging in both the religious and political arenas regarding same-sex marriages. do you think that if people choose to be committed together, they are entitled to be recognized as a married couple? why or why not? present the reasons for your answer.

3. do you think cohabitating couples should be entitled to the same legal benefits as those who have a marriage license? why or why not?

4. leona helmsley left her millions to her nine-year-old dog. she was legally sane at the time—and ran her businesses and corporations until the day she died. do you think she had the legal right to do what she wanted with her money or was the judge in the case within his rights to change leona’s will? why or why not?    

5. explain the importance of a will, a power of attorney document, and a guardianship agreement in the case of a cohabitating couple—parents of two children—who are killed in an auto accident.