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, was [...]
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 [...]
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 heirs, [...]
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 also known as a [...]
As an LGBT person or a person living with HIV, do you have a Life Plan Toolbox? Would you get into a boat going out on Lake Michigan without a life preserver? Would you let your loved one do so? If your answer is no, then why would you allow you and [...]