LGBTQ+ Estate Planning And Pride Month

Introduction

Estate planning sometimes addresses the special needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (“LGBTQ+”) people, or those who have family members in the LGBTQ+ community. Statistics demonstrate the reality that the number of people undertaking estate planning for whom LGBTQ+ considerations should be incorporated is growing. This article will provide an overview of some of the many planning and document considerations. This will include an explanation of a novel technique that may prove helpful for some LBGTQ+ people, especially given some of the changing tides in attitudes and law. There are risks that federal policies that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity could be rolled back. As such, the mechanism suggested might warrant broader use. This article will also suggest a completely different approach to when LGBTQ+ issues should be addressed in estate planning.