The number of unmarried partners living together in the United States nearly tripled in the last two decades from 6 million people, to 17 million people. The number of cohabitating partners aged 65 and above has also tripled, from 2% to 6%. Same-sex couples now compose almost 1% of U.S. households with close to 40% of cohabitating same-sex partners remaining unmarried.
This can create complications and challenges when one partner passes away, especially if there is no estate plan. The lack of planning can create an enormous headache for loved ones, explains a recent article titled “3 Estate Planning Tips for Same-Sex Couples” from The Street. This is true for married couples, and it’s even more important for unmarried couples.
Planning for incapacity and death is not fun, but unmarried couples in serious relationships need to plan for the unknown. Married couples with blended families may even face hostility from family members, including will contests and custody battles over children. There are three key issues to address: inheritance, incapacity and end-of-life care and beneficiary designations.
If a partner in an unmarried relationship dies and there is no will, assets belonging to the decedent pass to their family of origin, which could leave their partner with nothing. With no will, the estate is subject to the laws of intestacy. These laws almost always direct the court to distribute the property based on kinship.
A will establishes an unmarried partner’s right to inherit property from the decedent. It is also used to name a guardian for any minor children. Concern about the will being contested by family members is often addressed by the use of trusts. When property is transferred to a trust, it no longer belongs to the individual, but to the trust. A trustee is named to be in charge of the trust. If the surviving partner is the trustee, he or she has access and control of the trust.
A trust helps to avoid probate, as property does not go through probate. A will also only goes into effect after the person who created the will passes away. A revocable living trust is effective as soon as it is established. Trusts allow for more control of assets before and after you pass. The trustee is legally bound to carry out the precise intentions in the trust document.
Establishing a trust is step one—the next step is funding the trust. If the trust is established but not funded, there is no protection from probate for the assets.
Incapacity and end-of-life planning allows you to make decisions about your care, while you are living. Without it, your unmarried partner could be completely shut out of any decision-making process. Here are the documents needed to convey your wishes in an enforceable manner:
Power of Attorney for Healthcare. This document allows you to name the person you wish to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. You should specificly tell your Agent what treatments and care you want—and those you don’t want.
Directive to Physicians/Living Will. A Living Will lets you designate your wishes for end-of-life care or any potentially lifesaving treatments. For example, whether you want to be resuscitated, or to have CPR performed?
Durable Financial Power of Attorney. By designating an Agent in a Financial Power of Attorney, you give that person the right to conduct all financial and legal matters on your behalf. Note that every state has slightly different laws, and the POA must adhere to your state’s guidelines. You may also make the POA as broad or narrow as you wish. It can give someone the power to handle everything on your behalf or confine them to only one part of your financial life.
Beneficiary designations. Almost all tax-deferred retirement accounts and pensions permit a beneficiary to be named to inherit the assets on the death of the original owner. These accounts do not go through probate. Check on each and every retirement account, insurance policies and even bank accounts. Any account with a beneficiary designation should be reviewed every few years to be sure the correct party is named. Estranged ex-spouses have received more than their fair share of happy surprises, when people neglect to update their beneficiaries after divorce.
Some accounts that may not have a clear beneficiary designation may have the option for a Transfer on Death designation, which helps beneficiaries avoid probate.
Review these steps with an experienced Estate Planning Attorney to ensure that your partner and you have made proper plans to protect each other, even without the legal benefits that marriage bestows.
Reference: The Street (June 2, 2021) “3 Estate Planning Tips for Same-Sex Couples”
