Minnesota's Defense of Marriage Act does not deny the right of same-sex partners to inherit each other's assets, according to a groundbreaking ruling Wednesday. The Hennepin County District Court referee's ruling means that James Morrison of Minneapolis is entitled to about $250,000 in assets he once shared with Thomas Proehl, his partner of 25 years.

It's the first ruling to establish that the act, known as DoMA, does not deny same-sex couples the "benefits of marriage," including the right to inherit. It could prove influential in other issues involving same-sex couples, including spousal privilege, legal and economic benefits.