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Estate Planning for the Gay and Lesbian Community

Estate Planning is Particularly Important to the GLBT Community

If a member of the GLBT community fails to plan properly, the result can be devastating in times of illness or accident. All of us can become incapacitated without warning at any age. If you have no powers of attorney, blood relatives will almost certainly take control of your life if you become incapacitated. For many that could mean a partner and/or friends could be shut out of your life when you need them most of all to be there for you.

Furthermore, if you do not have a will or living trust, your nearest blood relatives most likely will be appointed by the probate court to administer your estate in accordance with the California intestacy law. In plain English, that means the state of California will see to it that your estate goes to your nearest blood relatives, whether you like them or not, and whatever your wishes. For many, that could mean a long-term partner receives or your best friend receives nothing.

Domestic Partnerships — an Estate Planning Perspective

While you cannot (any more) get married in California, the State does register domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. The rights and responsibilities of registration are the same as those affecting married heterosexual couples but with one major difference: None of the many spousal benefits of marriage afforded by the federal government to heterosexual couples are available to gay partners. But the State benefits can be substantial, and for many those are paramount. Remember, however, that you will still need effective estate planning documents, especially if you go out of state where your domestic partnership is not recognized.

Beware: registering a domestic partnership affects your property rights in California. If you want to keep your property separate, or make other arrangements, you may want to enter into a pre-partnership agreement (commonly known as a “prenup”) with your prospective partner to reflect your wishes. Before registering your California domestic partnership, be sure to speak with a qualified attorney, who is familiar with the unique legal and personal needs of the gay community. That attorney can counsel you on the implications of registration and advisability of registering in your unique situation.

The Problems Estate Planning Solves for the GLBT Community

You can avoid numerous problems through proper estate planning:

  • Using a Living Trust and/or a Power of Attorney for Finances, you can appoint someone you trust to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated through illness or accident, without court involvement.
  • A Health Care Power of Attorney and “Living Will” (known in California jointly as an “Advance Health Care Directive”) can avoid many potential problems if you are unable to make your own health care decisions. You can appoint whoever you want to make such decisions for you, and to make sure your partner and/or friends are not shut out if you are hospitalized.
  • You can ensure your money and possessions are distributed as you want, and not as dictated by the State of California
  • Proper estate planning virtually assures you that your minor children will be raised by the person you designate, and not as ordered by the State, which might appoint a stranger as guardian
  • Proper estate planning will ensure correct strategies are used to avoid unnecessary taxation whenever possible, as well as very expensive, protracted and public probate
  • A Living Trust guarantees privacy when you are incapacitated or die. For some, it can be important to keep a relationship confidential.

Los Angeles Estate Planning Attorney Richard Grain assists clients with Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Revocable Living Trusts, California Probate and Estate Administration, Estate Tax Planning, Estate Planning for the LGBT Community, IRA and Retirement Planning, Asset Protection, Family-Owned Businesses, and Special Needs Planning in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties; Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Los Feliz, Silverlake, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, San Marino, South Pasadena, Monrovia, Arcadia, La Canada, Flintridge, Altadena, Culver City, Westwood, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Hidden Hills, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Westlake, Oak Park, Malibu, Canoga Park, Venice, Reseda, Granada Hills, West Hills, Chatsworth, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Valley Village, Century City, Atwater Village, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Eagle Rock, La Crescenta, Montrose and Universal City.

Please feel free to contact the firm if you or a family member is in need of legal assistance with California Probate or Estate Administration, California Estate Planning, California Wills and Trusts and Estates or California Tax Planning Strategies.

Richard Grain focuses on California Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Estates, Probate Administration, Estate Tax Planning, and Estate Planning for the GLBT Community.

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