Civil unions are legally recognized partnerships that provide many of the same rights and responsibilities as marriage. They were created to offer legal recognition to couples, particularly same-sex couples, who wanted to formalize their relationship without entering into marriage. Civil unions can cover various aspects, including property rights, inheritance, and healthcare decisions. While civil unions offer some legal protections, they may not provide all the benefits of marriage, such as federal recognition in the United States. The legal status of civil unions varies by state, and some jurisdictions have moved towards recognizing same-sex marriage instead, making civil unions less common.