Estate Planning For Same-Sex Couples
Posted on Tue, Jan 12, 2010
Putting together an estate plan for married couples can be tricky business, let alone same-sex couples. As part of a same-sex couple, you likely don't automatically inherit your partner's assets.
It can also be difficult for your family. You may or may not want them to receive some of your inheritance, even if you haven't seen them in years. But without a proper estate plan, they may get priority over your lifetime partner.
The rights of life partners and heterosexual couples differ in several ways and Estate Planning is one way to insure that life partners remain an integral part of each others decision making and asset division processes.
Additionally, life partners are not recognized as "family" for purposes of state law. Without the proper Powers of Attorney in place a life partner may be excluded from making financial or medical decisions for an ill or incapacitated partner.
Proper estate planning will protect those who are left behind after the death of a life partner and will insure that the wishes of a decedent are honored, and that his or her life partner is legally protected.
Contact an attorney whose focus is in estate planning and is knowledgeable about the LGBT community. This will help you put a plan in place to protect you and your partner.