This article from the Springfield State Journal-Register points out why same-sex couples who enter an Illinois civil union should still execute health-care and financial powers of attorney.
This story from NPR about David Wilson and Ron Loso is yet one more example of why same-sex couples need to protect themselves.
Today’s five-year anniversary of Terri Schiavo’s death is a reminder that we all have to face end-of-life decisions, for ourselves and often for loved ones. Most of us don’t like talking about end-of-life issues. Even more of us never get around to putting a plan in writing. Then-26-year-old Terri Schiavo didn’t either. Terri was diagnosed…
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,…
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 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…