Debra L. Chernick was recently featured in an article by the RI Bar Association discussing the origin and usage of the para-kin terminology. Below is an excerpt of that article from the Rhode Island Bar Journal
Source: Rhode Island Bar Association Volume 59. Number 4. January/February 2011 full publication (pdf) | para-kin article page only (pdf)

Attorney Debra L. Chernick sat in a local hospital emergency room, anxiously trying to finish the formality of intake paperwork, allowing her to meaningfully participate in the care of her longtime partner. Acquaintance, friend, or spouse, nothing accurately described their relationship. The absence of a legally-recognized relationship suddenly became a barrier. As alarming as it was to realize she didn’t have any legal standing to make decisions on her partner’s behalf, it wasn’t until months later that a possible solution came to her. “My life partner resolved some household catastrophe, and I turned to him and said, ‘Honey, you are as wonderful as any para-hubby could be!’” From her experience and this domestic interaction, came the idea for a term that could answer not only Deb’s dilemma, but also a situation faced by many other people, in a word, para-kin.”