
1. Update your will - Your last will and testament specifies how you want your assets to be distributed to your heirs after your death and any other last wishes. You will want to be sure that your will addresses your partner, your children, your step-children, and any other family members.
2. Create a trust - In addition to your will, a trust can provide more control and flexibility for how you would like your assets to be distributed to your beneficiaries. A living trust can be changed or modified if necessary, and it can also be used to provide for your and your partner’s needs during your life.
3. Use power of attorney - While married spouses have the right to make decisions for each other, this is not always true for unmarried couples. A power of attorney agreement can be used to ensure that partners will be able to make medical or financial decisions for each other if one of them becomes incapacitated.
4. Consider a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement - When you get remarried, your new spouse will typically be entitled to receive half of your estate following your death. A prenup or postnup can ensure that certain assets will be set aside for any children you may have from a previous marriage or relationship.
5. Address plans for retirement - If you have any retirement funds saved in an account such as a 401(k) or IRA, you will want to be sure to name beneficiaries who will receive these funds following your death. You can name your spouse or partner as a beneficiary, as well as any children or step-children.
Contact a Kenilworth Estate Planning Attorney
When creating a comprehensive estate plan, you will want to be sure all of your family members will be provided for. Determining how to do so when you are in a non-traditional family can be a complex matter, and an experienced attorney can help you address issues involving same-sex partners, children from previous marriages, adoptive children, or other family members. Contact our Riverwoods estate planning lawyer today at 847-934-6000 to schedule a free consultation.
Sources:
https://digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1773&context=sulr