October is LGBTQIA+ History Month – a time to reflect on the struggles, courage, and victories of those who fought for equality. It’s also a reminder that while progress has been made, challenges remain. Honoring the past means taking steps today to protect your future and the people you love most. One of the most meaningful ways to do that is through thoughtful, proactive estate planning.
As an estate planning attorney, I’ve seen firsthand how the lack of a clear plan can leave LGBTQIA+ individuals and families vulnerable. A Life & Legacy Plan not only ensures that your wishes are honored, but it also protects your chosen family in a world where legal and family dynamics can still pose risks.
Why LGBTQIA+ History Month Matters for Planning
Marriage equality became law nationwide in 2015, but that doesn’t mean LGBTQIA+ families are free from legal threats. Even today, partners can be denied access to one another’s hospital rooms, excluded from medical decision-making, or challenged in probate court when no plan is in place.
Family estrangement makes this risk even greater. Studies show LGBTQIA+ adults are far more likely to be estranged from immediate relatives than heterosexual adults. Without legal protections, those same estranged relatives could end up with control over your healthcare decisions, finances, or even custody of your children.
On top of that, ongoing challenges in the courts raise questions about the future of marriage equality. If the law changes, spousal rights could be limited or even stripped away in certain states. This uncertainty highlights why planning is not optional – it’s essential.
Where Traditional Estate Planning Falls Short
Many people assume that a simple will or online template is enough. Unfortunately, that approach often fails – especially for LGBTQIA+ families.
- A will must go through probate, which opens the door to family disputes and challenges.
- Outdated or incomplete healthcare documents may allow hospitals to default to biological relatives, even if you named your partner.
- Documents that are never reviewed or updated lose their effectiveness over time.
I’ve heard painful stories of partners being shut out of hospitals, denied financial access, or forced into long, expensive legal battles – all because there was no clear, enforceable plan in place. The law does not operate on “common sense.” It operates on written documents and court procedures. If those are missing or outdated, your wishes may not matter.
Traditional “documents-only” planning also fails because it ends once the papers are signed. Life changes. Laws change. Relationships evolve. If your plan is not kept current, it likely won’t work when your family needs it most.
How Life & Legacy Planning® Protects Your Chosen Family
Life & Legacy Planning goes beyond paperwork. It’s about creating a living, evolving plan that provides real protection, clarity, and peace of mind. Here’s how it works for LGBTQIA+ families:
- Protects Your Chosen Family: Ensures the people you choose – not estranged relatives or the state – are the ones who care for you, inherit from you, and carry out your wishes.
- Supports Healthcare Advocacy: Guarantees your partner or trusted loved one can make medical decisions and be by your side when it matters most.
- Provides Security for Children: With my Kids Protection Plan®, your children will always be raised and cared for by the people you trust, avoiding painful court battles.
- Safeguards Finances: Your plan addresses not just your assets, but how they’re owned and accessed, preventing delays, disputes, and unnecessary costs.
- Includes Ongoing Updates: A Life & Legacy Plan grows with you, adapting to changes in your life and in the law.
Even more, Life & Legacy Planning captures your values, memories, and personal stories through a recorded Life & Legacy Interview. For LGBTQIA+ families, this is especially powerful – preserving not just financial assets, but stories of resilience, love, and courage for generations to come.
Protecting Love, Identity, and Dignity
Creating a Life & Legacy Plan isn’t just about protecting assets. It’s about protecting the people and relationships that define who you are. It ensures your partner, your children, and your chosen family are respected, supported, and cared for – no matter what.
That’s what makes planning a powerful way to honor LGBTQIA+ History Month. It’s not just remembering the past, but protecting the future with clarity, dignity, and love.
Take Action Today
This LGBTQIA+ History Month, I encourage you to take the step that secures your future and safeguards your loved ones. A Life & Legacy Plan makes sure your rights are honored, your wishes are clear, and your chosen family is always protected.
It begins with a Life & Legacy Planning Session®, where we’ll:
- Review what would happen to your assets and loved ones if something happened to you today.
- Create a full inventory so nothing is lost or overlooked.
- Explore your family dynamics and goals to design a plan that reflects your values.
- Choose the right plan that works for your needs, your budget, and your future.
Together, we’ll create a plan that works when it matters most – so the people you love are cared for in the way you intend.
At Cheever Law, we don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love, starting with a valuable and educational Life & Legacy Planning Session. This will allow you to get more financially organized and make the best choices for the people you love. If you have already completed your estate plan, we will review that plan at your Life & Legacy Planning Session to ensure that it will work the way you intend and address any holes or gaps that may be present if circumstances have changed since you executed your plan.
To learn more about our one-of-a-kind systems and services, contact us or schedule a no-obligation 15-minute introductory phone call today.