Love is the powerful force that connects us all, and there are various ways to show our love to those who matter most. While flowers, gifts, and notes come to mind, another meaningful way to express love is by planning for the future.
While estate planning may seem like a realm of financial jargon and legalities, it is, at its core, a tangible expression of your care for those closest to you. (And that’s why I refer to estate planning as Life & Legacy Planning.)
In this blog, we’ll look at why adding your partner to your Will and estate plan as a whole isn’t just a romantic gesture but the ultimate act of love.
Providing Care and Protection
Estate planning is usually linked to money and legal details, but fundamentally, it’s a way to show love for our dear ones. It’s about avoiding complications for those you care about, offering them lasting comfort and security. Including your partner in your estate plan strengthens your love and commitment, ensuring their well-being when you’re no longer physically present.
One of the most tangible ways to demonstrate your love is by securing your partner’s legal and financial future through thoughtful estate planning, but not just any old estate planning – in our book, it needs to be “Life & Legacy Planning” so you know you have a “plan that works to keep your family out of court and out of conflict”.
Having a Will, Trust, and other estate planning docs is great, but without proper guidance, regular updates, and additional tools like a Kids Protection Plan for minors and a Family Wealth Inventory with Legacy Interviews for all your assets, things can get messy and costly for your loved ones.
Even if you’re married, your spouse might not automatically have access to your accounts or be able to make healthcare decisions as you wish. If you’re not married, your unmarried partner has no rights in case of your incapacity or death. The best gift for your loved one is a Life & Legacy Plan.
Avoiding Legal Complications
Love can overcome a lot, but legal matters need more than just feelings. Without a well-prepared Life & Legacy Plan, your partner might face legal issues inheriting your assets if something happens to you. If you’re not married, they won’t inherit anything without a proper plan in place.
The law for what happens to your assets if you don’t have a plan is designed for married couples. So, if someone you love isn’t married or directly related to you by blood, they won’t get anything when you die or if you’re incapacitated unless you plan ahead.
By including your partner in your Will and overall Life & Legacy Plan, you get to ensure they’ll receive what you would want them to in the event of your loss and spare them the stress of navigating legal intricacies during an already emotionally trying time.
Protecting The Life You Built Together
Perhaps marriage isn’t your preference right now, or you and your partner are delaying those plans. However, don’t wait until you’re older to have a plan in place. You’ve likely already started building a life together that deserves protection.
Whether it’s the cozy home you’ve made together or the classic car you’ve enjoyed on numerous road trips, shared assets are more than just belongings – they’re a part of your shared history. Involving your partner in your estate plan ensures a smooth passing on of these shared treasures, preserving the memories you’ve created together.
And if you have children with your partner, Life & Legacy Planning takes on an even greater significance. If your partner isn’t biologically related to your children and hasn’t legally adopted them, there is no legal guarantee that your partner would be able to care for your children or even visit them if something happens to you.
Creating a Kids Protection Plan or your kids in your estate plan is an act of profound love and responsibility. By ensuring your partner has legal authority in matters of your children’s well-being, you’re displaying a commitment to everyone’s future happiness and security.
Helping You Show The One You Love Just How Much You Care
Love binds us together – but proper estate planning, and specifically Life & Legacy Planning puts the love you have for your partner and your family into action. It’s not just about assets and legalities; it’s a declaration of your commitment and a promise to provide for your loved one even when you’re no longer physically present.
After all, in matters of the heart, there’s no gesture more profound than securing a future together.
If you want to show your partner just how much you love them, contact us today to learn more about our Life & Legacy Planning process to get started.
At Cheever Law, APC, 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.