Estate Planning | Making a Difference One Family at a Time

LGBTQ individuals have made great advances in recent years in arguing for and achieving more equality under the law. There are, however, still some legal and societal barriers in the way of full acceptance of LGBTQ individuals. When you plan ahead for your future, you need to consider and overcome these obstacles with a comprehensive estate plan.

Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates P.C. has been helping LGBTQ individuals since long before the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationwide and we continue to provide comprehensive legal advice and guidance to individuals and couples who want to secure their own futures and take care of their families.  

When you are ready to create an estate plan and you want advice from a Connecticut LGBTQ estate planning lawyer who knows the unique issues you face due to the way the law and society view your gender and sexuality, our firm is the firm to trust. Call now to learn about the personalized legal services we can offer and to get answers to questions including:

  • Why is LGBTQ estate planning important?
  • What should be involved in your estate plan?
  • How can a Connecticut LGBTQ estate planning attorney help you?

Why is LGBTQ Estate Planning Important

Every estate plan must be personalized, but it may be even more important for LGBTQ individuals to have an attorney helping them to prepare in case of incapacity or death.  

The issues that you face may be very unique to your personal situation. For example, if you are transgender, depending upon family support and how far you have gone in your transition, you may be worried about the clothes your family will select for your funeral or the name which will be put on your tombstone. You should never have to be concerned about how you will be remembered, and a comprehensive estate plan can ensure your wishes are followed and your instructions are carried out to the letter.

If you are involved in a homosexual relationship, you may also have some specific legal issues which may need to be addressed to protect yourself and your partner and your children in case of incapacity or death.  

While marriage is now permitted nationwide between same sex spouses and can provide many benefits, not everyone chooses to marry. Even if you do decide to legally wed, you may have owned property together before a marriage occurred or you may have children together which are only the biological children of one partner. Your estate plan can allow you to ensure your spouse or partner has important rights, like the right to inherit and the right to be a guardian of your children, regardless of your marital status.  

Creating a plan is essential whether you are young or old, whether you are married or single, and regardless of what your gender identity and sexuality are. You owe it to yourself and to the people you love to make sure the law works for you and to ensure you get the full protection of the law. 

What Should Be Involved In Your Estate Plan?

Your estate plan needs to be designed with your specific needs in mind. Your plan could include:

  • A will to set forth instructions for your funeral and burial and to determine who inherits and who becomes the guardian of your children.
  • A trust to seamlessly transfer ownership and to avoid estate taxes (this can be especially important if you and your partner you are not married).
  • A plan for incapacity so your partner can be the one in charge of making medical decisions and managing your assets in the event you become unable to act on your own.

These are just some of the things which can be a part of your plan. Like everyone, regardless of sexuality or gender, you will also need to consider things like how long-term care costs will be paid if you need to go into a nursing home and whether you want to make any medical decisions in advance in case of an emergency. Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates P.C. will help you to understand all of the issues to address in your estate plan.

How Can a Connecticut LGBTQ Estate Planning Lawyer Help You?

If you want to protect your legacy, your partner, your assets, and your children, you need a plan to do it. Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates P.C. has the experience necessary to help you address all of the legal issues that exist for LGBTQ couples and to help you use the legal tools necessary to create your plan. Give us a call today at (860) 548-1000 so a Connecticut LGBTQ estate planning lawyer can help you.