Elders in Nontraditional Families

Elders in nontraditional families, or elders who are gay/lesbian/bisexual/transsexual (LGBT) can face further difficulties when aging due to discrimination, lack of access to their loved ones when hospitalized,  and concern over whether their wishes for distributing their property will honored when the time comes. 

Laurie Kadair Redman, an attorney in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has addressed some of these issues on her blog Nontraditional Family Law.

At the very least, you should have a health care proxy and durable power of attorney naming the agent of your choice.  In addition, you can draft a Will or Trust to make sure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes.  The main thing is to get these things done. If you don't make the decisions for yourself now, while you are healthy and able, the Court will have to make them for you when you are at your most vulnerable.