Your chosen family deserves the same protections as any other family. Yet many same-sex couples face unique challenges - 42% remain unmarried, compared to just 11.7% of opposite-sex couples.
Our heart is in helping LGBT individuals feel secure about their future. Without proper estate planning, state laws could put your assets in the hands of biological family members instead of your life partner or chosen family. This hits especially close to home when relationships with biological families are strained.
The law's "next of kin" rules weren't written with LGBT families in mind. Even with marriage equality in New York, protecting your family takes more than a marriage certificate. You need estate planning that truly reflects your wishes and safeguards those you love.
We promise to be there for you, offering clear guidance that honors your unique family bonds. Your trust means everything to us, and we're committed to looking out for you and your loved ones with kindness, respect, and personalized service. Let us help you create an estate plan that keeps your chosen family protected, just as you've always wanted.
LGBT Estate Rights in New York: What You Need to Know
We're here to help you understand your rights as an LGBT individual in New York LGBT estate rights. The good news? Since the Obergefell v. Hodges decision in 2015, your marriage rights are protected across all states. This means married same-sex couples receive the same estate planning benefits as any other couple under both state and federal law.
Your trust means everything to us, and you should know New York stands firmly behind your rights. The state recognizes same-sex marriages performed anywhere. Even without a will, your spouse and children are protected under New York law - they'll automatically receive your estate.
Healthcare decisions worry many of our LGBT clients, and with good reason. SAGE tells us 20% of LGBT folks skip medical care, fearing discrimination. For our transgender neighbors, the situation can be even harder - half have needed to teach their own healthcare providers about proper care.
We want you to feel secure knowing New York offers strong protections. The 2016 Affordable Care Act rules shield you from healthcare discrimination based on gender identity. Plus, state programs must consider the specific needs of LGBT elders who've faced discrimination.
Worried because you're not married? You're not alone - 42% of same-sex couples living together haven't tied the knot, compared to just 11.7% of opposite-sex couples. That's exactly why we focus on creating estate plans that protect unmarried partners like you. Without proper planning, your partner could face real challenges making healthcare decisions or inheriting what you want them to have.
Essential Estate Planning Documents for Your Peace of Mind
Your trust means everything to us, and we're here to help you protect what matters most - your chosen family and your wishes. The right legal documents serve as your shield, especially when unsupportive biological family members might challenge your decisions.
Concerned about healthcare decisions? We understand. With 20% of LGBT individuals avoiding medical care due to discrimination, having proper Advance Healthcare Documents becomes vital. A healthcare power of attorney puts your partner or spouse in charge of medical decisions if you can't speak for yourself.
Let us help you create and maintain these essential protections:
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Living Will - your voice for end-of-life care choices
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HIPAA Authorization - keeps your medical information private
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Durable Financial Power of Attorney - puts your money in trusted hands
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Last Will and Testament - ensures your wishes are followed
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Property Ownership Agreements - protects your shared home
Remember, your retirement accounts, life insurance, and other financial accounts need special attention. These beneficiary designations override your will, so we'll help you keep them current and aligned with your wishes.
Want to protect your shared home? We can help you choose the right ownership structure. Joint tenancy with right of survivorship means your property passes directly to your surviving partner. Or, if you prefer, tenants in common ownership lets you specify different ownership shares through a Declaration of Trust.
After working hard your whole life, you shouldn't have to worry about your family's future. Without these documents in place, state laws could put biological relatives - not your chosen family - in charge of crucial decisions. We promise to be there for you, offering our best advice and support, so you can have peace of mind knowing everything is in good hands.
Protecting Your Non-Traditional Family Bonds
Our heart is in helping LGBT families feel secure and protected, especially when your family structure extends beyond traditional definitions. We understand the unique challenges LGBT parents face in securing legal recognition for their precious relationships with children.
Worried about your rights as a non-biological parent? We're here to help. Second-parent adoption offers you powerful protection, letting you adopt while your partner keeps their parental rights. This safeguard ensures both parents maintain their full legal connection to their children, no matter how laws might change.
Your Family Protection Checklist:
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Confirmatory adoption to secure parent-child bonds
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Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage for immediate recognition after birth
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Clear parenting agreements that spell out everyone's roles
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Guardian designation papers for peace of mind in emergencies
Your family deserves the same protections as any other. Yet LGBT parents often need stronger safeguards because traditional laws don't always recognize their family bonds. This becomes especially important when children are involved - courts might not automatically see non-biological parents as legal parents.
We promise to be there for you, helping protect your chosen family structure. The right estate plan prevents estranged biological relatives from challenging your partner's or chosen family's inheritance rights. Whether you're married or not, proper legal papers ensure your children stay with the guardians you've chosen.
Your trust means everything to us, particularly when you're part of a blended family or have stepchildren and chosen family members who need legal recognition. After working hard to build your family, you shouldn't have to worry about their future. Let us help you create the protections your unique family deserves.
Securing Your Family's Future
Estate planning means everything when it comes to protecting LGBT families in New York. While the law offers some protection, your chosen family needs more than just basic legal rights - especially since many same-sex couples choose not to marry. We're here to help you create the right mix of healthcare directives, powers of attorney, and property agreements that truly protect your family's future.
Your trust means everything to us, particularly when it comes to securing recognition for non-traditional family structures. We understand how second-parent adoptions, parenting agreements, and guardian designations work together to keep your family bonds strong. These protections become your shield when biological relatives might challenge your wishes about inheritance or child custody.
After working hard to build your family, you shouldn't have to worry about their future. Rather than leaving things to chance with default legal provisions, let us help you take control now. We promise to be there for you, offering our best advice and support, so you can have peace of mind knowing your assets, healthcare choices, and family relationships are protected exactly as you want. Your family deserves nothing less than an estate plan that honors and secures your unique family bonds.
