| Many states are taking steps to provide legal | | | | and your partner in situations that may |
| protection for life partners. However, in | | | | eventually occur. |
| many instances, life partners, or those in a | | | | |
| cohabitation situation, a mother living with | | | | DOCUMENTS TO CONSIDER: |
| her daughter, or an unmarried elderly couple | | | | |
| living together for example, do not have a | | | | Cohabitation Agreement: This is simply a |
| lot in the way of legal protections in the | | | | written contract entered into by any two |
| event of illness, incapacitating events, or | | | | people prior to living together. It will |
| death. | | | | specifically outline and address issues |
| | | | concerning finances and property of the |
| While the government may not have provided | | | | partners. It also states what will take |
| protection, there are legal steps that can be | | | | place in these areas if the relationship |
| taken so that partners or cohabiters can | | | | ends. |
| protect one another in the event of unusual | | | | |
| circumstances. Some areas to think about are | | | | Last Will and Testament: This will clearly |
| finances, health care, property rights, and | | | | define your wishes in the event of your death |
| issues that will arise after death such as | | | | so that your assets can be distributed |
| those concerning burial, disposal of the | | | | according to your desires and the choices of |
| remains, and rights to property. | | | | distribution will not fall to the state. |
| | | | |
| The first step that springs to mind is the | | | | Living Trust: This allows you to make a |
| creation an effective Last Will and | | | | legal decision as to how you want your assets |
| Testament. As seen so recently in the Anna | | | | and property to be managed while you are |
| Nicole Smith case, not having an up-to-date | | | | alive. It can also define how you want your |
| Will created a vacuum in which the government | | | | assets and property to be distributed after |
| had to step in and attempt to determine the | | | | your death. |
| wishes of the deceased. From my own personal | | | | |
| experience I am aware how not having a last | | | | Living Will: A living will, among other |
| will and testament can create difficulties | | | | things, allows you to spell out how you want |
| for the family of the deceased. | | | | your healthcare to be performed and managed |
| | | | in the event you become incapacitated. |
| In many cases, there will be property to be | | | | |
| dealt with, and, while a will may state who | | | | Quitclaim Deed: In the event that a living |
| is to get that property, ownership of that | | | | trust has been prepared, a quitclaim deed |
| property may be in question unless steps have | | | | should also be prepared to aid in achieving |
| been taken, such as preparation of a | | | | an uncontested transfer of title to property. |
| quitclaim deed, to insure that questions of | | | | |
| ownership will not arise. | | | | Power of Attorney: This simple form allows |
| | | | you to designate someone to perform actions |
| Healthcare and finances can also be an issue. | | | | in your behalf and in your name. |
| Legal forms such as healthcare directives, | | | | |
| living wills, and living trusts can create a | | | | In any relationship, be it traditional |
| clear legal path for one partner to care for | | | | marriage, or a non-married cohabitation |
| and attend to the needs of the other. | | | | situation, preparing in advance for life's |
| | | | events can save everyone involved a lot of |
| Simple steps such as filling out a power of | | | | grief and expense. |
| attorney form and last will and testament | | | | |
| purchased online or at the local business | | | | Donovan Baldwin is a Texas writer. He is a |
| supply store can be a cheap, effective, and | | | | University of West Florida alumnus, a member |
| incredibly important move in protecting you | | | | of Mensa, and is retired from the U. S. Army. |