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