{"id":354803,"date":"2023-06-20T07:17:05","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T12:17:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/lgbtq-law\/lgbtq-older-adult\/advance-planning-advocacy-tools-and-estate-planning-basics-for-l.html"},"modified":"2026-05-21T15:48:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T20:48:00","slug":"advance-planning-advocacy-tools-and-estate-planning-basics-for-l","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/lgbtq-law\/lgbtq-older-adult\/advance-planning-advocacy-tools-and-estate-planning-basics-for-l.html","title":{"rendered":"Advance Planning Tools and Estate Planning Basics for LGBTQ+ Older Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Advance Planning Tools and Estate Planning Basics for LGBTQ+ Older Adults<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Isobel Healy, J.D., M.P.H.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Bridget Molitor, JD<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

A comprehensive estate plan helps LGBTQ+ older adults ensure their medical, financial, and end\u2011of\u2011life wishes are honored. This is especially important when partners or chosen family lack automatic legal authority through legal marriage. If you don\u2019t have a plan in place, state law will decide who gets to make decisions on your behalf, and who gets your property.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Aging without a plan leaves too much power in the hands of people who may not understand\u2014or respect\u2014your relationships. Taking a few proactive steps now can be the difference between having your wishes honored and having them superseded by default laws.<\/p>\n

Part one<\/strong> of this article provides an overview of various advance planning tools available to LGBTQ<\/span>+ older adults<\/span><\/a> (OA) and their caregivers<\/span>, such as:<\/p>\n