The 2010 Census will be the first census to publicly release the number of both same-sex spouses and same-sex unmarried partners. In the past, these two groups were combined and reported as same-sex “unmarried partners.” This information will come from the relationship question, which asks the person filling out the form to identify how all…
Dennis Engelhard and Kelly Glossip were life partners for almost 15 years. They owned a home together. Glossip’s teenage son from a previous marriage, before Glossip came out as gay, considered Engelhard a stepfather. But Glossip will not be receiving survivor’s benefits from Engelhard’s pension. Engelhard, a 10-year veteran of the Missouri State Highway Patrol,…
Illinois is among several states that have laws which clearly allow unmarried persons, including same-sex couples, to adopt. The Illinois Adoption Act states that “a reputable person of legal age and of either sex” may petition to adopt a child. 750 ILCS 50/2. Illinois courts have held that this applies to unmarried same-sex couples or…
The Illinois Disposition of Remains Act, 755 ILCS 65/1 et seq., provides one of the more recent tools in the Life Planning Toolbox. The Act allows a person (the “principal”) to provide written instructions for the disposition, including cremation, of his or her remains. It also allows a person to designate an agent to direct…
By Sandra J. Slaga
You die. You left no will. Maybe you were too busy or just kept putting it off. Maybe you thought you didn’t have enough property or money to justify having a will. For LGBT persons, a will is not optional. Dying without a will guarantees that your property will be automatically distributed to your legal…
Have you considered life insurance as a way to provide for your loved ones if you die unexpectedly? Who do you want to receive the benefits of your life insurance when you die? If you have a company pension, 401(k), 403(b), IRA or other retirement assets, who will receive them when you die? It’s easy…
What are your wishes if you are in a persistent vegetative state or have a terminal condition, and death is imminent? Do you feel strongly about resuscitation, insertion tubes or other life-sustaining procedures? How do you best ensure that your wishes are honored? A Living Will is not a last will and testament. It is…
You’re critically injured or seriously ill. Or for some other reason you can’t handle your financial matters. Do you have a plan in place? Who will take care of paying your bills? How will your paycheck or other checks get cashed? In Illinois this document is known as a power of attorney for property. It’s…
You are in a serious accident or are sick enough to be hospitalized – you can’t make medical decisions for yourself. Who will make decisions when the doctors ask? Without the proper legal document, the first relative who arrives at the hospital may be called upon to make critical and personal medical decisions. In one…