No couple is the same, as we’ve often observed at Geyer Law, in particular alluding to the many same-sex couples we advise. But it’s not just couples who may need legal advice, the authors of a CNBC article about the special care-giving challenges facing many LBGTQ+ seniors.
Whether married or single, older LGBTQ+ adults may be estranged from biological family members who don’t accept their sexual orientation or gender identity. Disgruntled family members often contest the will leaving assets to those who are not relatives.
All this makes it especially important to have an aging plan early, Michelle Fox stresses, complete with choosing financial and healthcare powers of attorney, directives for medical decisions, and having and updating key documents.
“While the law is trying to catch up for LGBT rights, it is slow and sparse,” observes David Zumpano, CPA, of the Estate Planning Law Center, Furthermore, the laws are different in each state. At Geyer Law, we stress that, for unmarried adults, even those in committed relationships, there is no legal authority for others to handle one’s finances or to make medical decisions without proper planning.
“Estate planning for married same-sex and LGBTQ couples now looks largely the same as estate planning for any other married couple,” Nolo.com comments.. But for single people, it’s crucial to specify your wishes in detail. “LGBTQ folks still face discrimination and other challenges in their daily lives. Find out what you need to know about how sexual orientation and gender identity intersect with family law, employment, immigration, tax rules, health care, and more.”
“Find a healthcare provider you can trust,” outcarehealth.org urges members of the LGBTQ+ community. “Our vision is to create a world where every LGBTQ+ person has access to quality healthcare and feels empowered to live their healthiest, most authentic life.”
At Geyer Law, we understand the challenges and fears that often come into play with legal issues in the LGBTQ+ senior community. Our goal is to adopt an empathetic approach, helping clients understand and then reach their estate planning goals.
– by Ronnie of the Rebecca W. Geyer blog team
