Estate Planning for the Lgbt Community

Navigating the Florida estate laws is difficult enough, but when a couple is part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, community, issues can become a little more complicated. This is partly because most people and many attorneys do not have a great deal of experience with the topic, and they do not have the clearest understanding of estate laws as they apply to an LGBT couple.

At Kitroser Lewis & Mighdoll, we have helped numerous LGBT couples in Florida to plan their estates so their express wishes will be carried out in the event they pass away. We are elated that estate planning issues have been simplified to some degree as a result of the recent Supreme Court ruling to legalize gay marriage, but we also recognize that the LGBT community may still encounter certain scenarios and obstacles that are entirely unique to them.

One of the biggest challenges for an LGBT individual in estate planning are the societal issues that threaten them. It could be, for example, that family members never approved of the individual’s lifestyle, and after the individual’s passing, the family chooses to challenge a will or trust that was lawfully incorporated int he person’s estate plan.

Fortunately, the law is clear on the topic of estate planning for same-sex relationships and the various components of a Florida estate plan, and it is more than possible for LGBT persons to construct a rock-solid estate strategy. There are also important steps one can take in order to minimize the potential for family disagreements and other legal challenges arising after one’s passing. By speaking with a Florida estate planning attorney, individuals can construct an estate planning framework that suits their unique situations and needs.