LGBTQ+ Estate Planning Attorney

Because the law has only recently given legal recognition to LGBTQ+ relationships and marriages, members of this community may still face some planning challenges that cisgender and heterosexual people do not. What’s more, given the shifting political landscape, there is no guarantee that state and federal legal protections that exist today will still be in place tomorrow. Thoughtful LGBTQ+ estate planning remains essential to make sure your relationship is respected and your intentions are given full effect.

Estate planning is deeply personal, and it’s important to work with someone who respects your identity, your values, and your relationships, and who is committed to helping you achieve your goals. Whether you are single, partnered, or married, parent, childfree, or part of a chosen family, Aspen Estate Planning will help you protect what matters most to you. Contact Aspen Estate Planning to secure your legacy—and your peace of mind.

Estate Planning for LGBTQ+ Couples and Individuals

While progress has been made in LGBTQ+ rights, the law may still not always reflect the realities of your relationship. Especially if you are unmarried, have a blended or chosen family, or want to protect non-biological children, you need an estate plan to avoid the following:

• Your partner or chosen family being excluded from decisions about your health care or funeral arrangements
• Your partner facing challenges inheriting your property, especially if your family of origin was not supportive of your relationship
• Non-biological children not having the legal right to inherit from you
• Having the distribution of your estate determined by Louisiana intestacy law, which may not reflect your intentions or relationships.

In Louisiana, “forced heirship” laws and bloodline preferences can have a significant impact on how an estate is distributed. These laws were intended to prevent parents from leaving their children without support, but they can have unintended consequences for LGBTQ+ families. While it may not be possible to entirely avoid the application of these laws, careful estate planning can help you take them into account and ensure that your estate is distributed in a way that honors your wishes.

The Aspen Estate Planning Difference

When the laws were written for families that may not look like yours, it can feel challenging to find an estate planning attorney you can trust, someone who understands you and is committed to helping you keep your loved ones safe. All individuals and families deserve an estate plan that protects them and aligns with their values; Aspen Estate Planning was created to provide that.

I established Aspen Estate Planning to offer an affirming, positive setting that makes the estate planning process more comfortable and collaborative. I want you to get to know you and hear about your family, and I want you to feel at ease sharing with me your life, your hopes for the future, and your concerns. Then, together, we will create a plan designed to give you and your loved ones security, peace of mind, and comprehensive protection for years to come, no matter the situation.

I understand that life is busy, and that even if you want to make a plan, getting to an attorney’s office isn’t always the easiest thing to do. I offer virtual consultations or in-person meetings at a location of your choice, so that estate planning fits into your life, rather than being one more chore you have to make time for in your already busy life.