Estate planning is essential for everyone, but it carries particular importance for the LGBTQIA+ community, where legal recognition of relationships has historically faced resistance. Even for married couples, a proper plan ensures protection in cases of incapacity, accident, or illness, preventing situations where a partner could be excluded from decision-making or access to care.

Although Supreme Court decisions such as U.S. v. Windsor and Obergefell v. Hodges secured federal benefits and marriage equality for same-sex couples, variations in state laws and recognition of domestic partnerships or civil unions create added complexity. A qualified estate planning attorney can help navigate these issues and protect your rights.

Through tools such as Living Trusts, Health Care Powers of Attorney, and customized estate plans, LGBTQIA+ couples—married or unmarried—can:

• Ensure inheritance rights and asset protection

• Authorize a partner to make health care and financial decisions

• Avoid probate and maintain privacy

• Reduce tax burdens where possible

• Nominate guardians for minor children

Proper planning guarantees that your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected, regardless of circumstance.