For LGBT couples in Florida, your rights in developing an estate plan have been changing rapidly over the past several years. Though the state of Florida does not, as of March 2014, currently recognize either the validity of domestic partnerships or same-sex marriages, that does not mean that LGBT couples are left out in the cold when it comes to estate planning abilities.
While future changes in the law might one day recognize the rights of LG BT couples to get married, or at least to enter into domestic partnerships, developing a plan based on the current legal landscape is essential if you wish to protect yourself and your partner.
Estate Planning for LGBT Couples
When it comes to LGBT estate planning, the issues you and your partner face are often very difficult than the issues that heterosexual married couples have to think about. For example, will you, as an unmarried partner, have the right to make medical decisions on your partner’s behalf if he or she should become incapacitated? Will you have the automatic right to inherit property if your partner dies, or will you need to make other arrangements?
Though a large number of states recognize same-sex marriage or grant domestic partnership rights, Florida doesn’t. This means that Florida couples will have to use alternative methods to protect their estate planning interests.
Further, because couples can get married or enter into legally recognized relationships in other states and then move to the state of Florida, understanding what your rights are once you move to this state can be very difficult.
In other words, if you come from a state that recognizes more LGBT rights than Florida does, your estate plan may need to go through some rather drastic changes. Not only that, but as LGBT marriage laws change, you will need to be prepared to act to take advantage of any potential changes that come.
Speak to our LGBT Estate Planning Attorneys in Port St. Lucie and Vero Beach Today
For LGBT couples in the state of Florida, it might feel as if your options are more limited than if you lived in another state. While this might currently be true, that doesn’t mean you have to be left out in the cold. But regardless of what the current legal landscape is, you cannot know for certain what abilities you have until you speak to attorneys who have experience with LGBT estate planning issues.
If you want to know more about what your specific legal rights are, want to make sure that you and your partner will be protected, or simply need help getting started with estate planning, you need to contact our offices and speak to our LGBT estate planning attorneys in Port St. Lucie and Vero Beach as soon as possible. We can help you, but we can’t do anything for you until you make the choice to reach out to us.
