At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., we have an unflagging commitment to inclusivity, both as estate planning attorneys and as members of the community. For decades, we’ve proudly served LGBTQIA+ seniors throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. With LGBTQIA+ seniors, as with all our clients, we make it a priority to tune into both their universal and unique needs.
Marriage, Domestic Partnership, and Civil Union
For LGBTQIA+ couples, until the very beginning of the 21st century, there was no legal recognition of their relationships, even as domestic partnerships or civil unions. It wasn’t until 2015, that gay marriage was finally legalized at the federal level.
Though extremely late in being legally established, gay marriage now ensures rights regarding inheritance, property ownership, and decision-making authority, altering the landscape of estate planning throughout the country. If you are considering marrying or otherwise legally validating your relationship, no matter what your age, contact our knowledgeable attorneys to discuss how taking this step will affect your rights and responsibilities.
Beneficiary Designations
Designating beneficiaries is a fundamental aspect of estate planning, increasingly pressing as you age, since it allows you to specify the person you wish to inherit their assets. LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples must ensure that their chosen beneficiaries are legally recognized, especially in cases where family members may present obstacles. Updating beneficiary designations on accounts, insurance policies, and retirement plans is essential to avoid disputes and ensure that assets pass according to your wishes.
How LGBTQIA+ Senior Parents Plan for Their Heirs To Inherit
Now that modern science has added surrogacy and in vitro fertilization to adoption, LGBTQIA+ couples have several options when it comes to family planning. As you age, it becomes more vital that your estate plan considers how family dynamics apply to ensure that appropriate succession plans are in place. Addressing legal parentage and inheritance rights is crucial to safeguarding the future of your children, whether they are still young or now middle-aged adults.
Medical Decisions
Advance directives and healthcare proxies empower individuals to outline their medical preferences and appoint trusted individuals to make decisions on their behalf. The older we get, the more compelling these documents seem. For LGBTQIA+ individuals, specifying healthcare proxies and articulating preferences regarding end-of-life care can be especially important, particularly if you live in a jurisdiction where there is less acceptance of gay unions and your spouse or partner may be treated with disrespect.
Our legal team has the sharp legal skills to draft and execute comprehensive, legally binding documentation to ensure that your wishes are honored and your loved one is treated with dignity when it counts most.
Pronoun Usage and Name Changes
Respecting individuals’ chosen names and pronouns is not only a matter of respect but has legal implications. Updating legal documents to reflect preferred names and pronouns ensures accuracy and avoids potential discrepancies that could lead to confusion or disputes.
By acknowledging and affirming individuals’ identities, using correct pronouns, and carefully avoiding the use of deadnames for our clients, our attorneys ensure that the documents we create are legally valid.
Estate Tax Planning
Estate tax laws vary by state, having significant implications for LGBTQIA+ seniors and their families. Understanding available exemptions, deductions, and strategies for minimizing tax liabilities is essential for maximizing the value of your estate and preserving assets for your beneficiaries.
You can count on our well-informed attorneys to keep you abreast of current laws in Massachusetts and in any state to which you might relocate. We are well aware that LGBTQIA+ individuals face unique challenges. Our legal team is prepared to advise you about strategies tailored to help meet your specific needs and goals.
Contact Us for Outstanding LGBTQIA+ Senior Estate Planning
At Surprenant & Beneski, we believe that everyone needs and deserves a personalized estate plan. For this reason, no matter which segments of the population you belong to in terms of gender, age, accumulated assets, race, religion, occupation, ethnicity, etc., our capable caring attorneys are here to serve your needs and help you attain your goals. Contact us today. We know estate planning through and through and are well-positioned to address any particular issues you have as an LGBTQIA+ senior.