Florida Estate Planning Lawyer Blog
Though statistics are scarce, there are somewhere between 1.6 to 3.2 million gay men and women who are 65 or older. Many of them live in Florida, which also happens to be home of the first federally-funded elder care center with an LGBT program.
Planning for end of life care and asset protection takes time and should not be left to the last minute. Unfortunately, for gay and lesbian couples in Florida, current laws are often discriminatory or simply do not consider the issues that arise with these couples who wish to leave their belongings to a same-sex partner. Florida Laws often favor direct family members, who may challenge wills that were meant to distribute assets to a same-sex partner. These challenges can be costly, time consuming, and are definitely something one should seek to avoid.
It is important to remember that a Florida Will is not the only means of divesting assets after death. An Florida Estate Planning Lawyer can explain these alternatives to you. For example, you may consider an inter vivos trust or a Florida Revocable Trust . This allows an individual to transfer title to property in a trust, which is held by someone you name as trustee. A trustee may then hold the property for the individual’s lifetime. When the individual dies, or at some other stated time, the property remaining in the trust can be transferred to the intended beneficiaries.
There are multiple issues one should consider when planning for end of life care and asset protection. These issues are even more numerous for gay and lesbian couples, which is why it is important that you contact a Jacksonville Gay and Lesbian Estate Planning Attorney familiar with Jacksonville gay and lesbian legal issues to discuss your options.