The case involving Thomas Araguz’s death benefits has not yet been forgotten. His $500,000 estate was supposed to be divided between his wife Nikki Araguz and his two young children that he fathered with another woman. Yet because Nikki Araguz is a transgendered woman, born a man, some are arguing that her marriage to Thomas Araguz was not legitimate and that it should be annulled. Hence, some people in the Araguz family are arguing that Nikki isn’t entitled to any of her deceased husband’s money.
ABC News reports that this case is far from over and that the state of Texas has not yet decided how death benefits should be awarded. One thing is certain though and that’s that this legal case has made Nikki Araguz famous.
Nikki Araguz has become an activist for marriage equality and transgender rights since the case was brought to court. Not only is she famous in the Houston community, but she is gaining national attention as well. The attention that Araguz receives will likely grow even more, as she recently announced that she will be the star of her own reality show called "Being Nikki."
The series will reportedly focus on how Araguz copes with the death of her husband, her legal battle regarding the estate, and the lobbying that she does for same-sex marriage legalization. The widow will also reveal some of the personal complexities that she faces as a transsexual in our modern day society. The reality show is also expected to get spiced up with discussions of Araguz's dating life and her search to find a single man.
Related Resources:
- Find a Houston Family Law Attorney (FindLaw)
- Transgendered Widow Sued over Death Benefits (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life Blog)
- Araguz Provides Proof of Husband Knowing of Gender Surgery (Houston Family Law Blog)
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