The transgender widow of a fallen South Texas firefighter is asking a state appeals court to reverse a ruling that their marriage wasn't legally binding.
Nikki Araguz was married to Wharton County volunteer firefighter Thomas Araguz when he died while fighting a fire three years ago. She says she's entitled to his death benefits.
But Araguz's first wife and his mother say the money should go to his two sons because Nikki Araguz was born a man and thus in a marriage not binding under Texas law. A district judge two years ago ruled in their favor.
Three judges from the 13th Texas Court of Appeals heard arguments in the case Wednesday.
They announced no immediate timetable on a ruling.
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