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Estate Planning for Unmarried Partners

November 20, 2025

Protecting Your Partner and Your Future

Without a legal marriage, partners have very few automatic legal protections. Estate planning is essential to ensure your wishes are honored.

Essential Documents

  • Will: Directs how your assets are distributed
  • Power of Attorney: Designates who can make financial decisions if you're incapacitated
  • Healthcare Directive: Ensures your partner can make medical decisions for you
  • Beneficiary Designations: Update retirement accounts, insurance policies, and bank accounts

Common Pitfalls

Many unmarried couples assume that living together grants legal rights — it doesn't in most states. Without proper documents, a partner could be excluded from hospital visits, inheritance, or financial decisions.

Action Steps

  1. Consult an estate planning attorney experienced with LGBTQ+ families
  2. Draft or update your will and powers of attorney
  3. Review all beneficiary designations annually
  4. Consider a revocable living trust for added protection

Keep reading

Estate Planning

Power of Attorney & Healthcare Directives

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