While same-sex marriage is now recognized in the United States, estate planning goes beyond legal recognition. Even if a couple is legally married, estate planning can still be complex for several reasons, including potential family disputes and unique issues that LGBTQ+ couples may face. LGBTQ+ couples may have children who are biologically related to only one partner or adopted by one partner. Estate planning is essential to ensure the legal rights of non-biological or non-adoptive parents and to provide for the children's well-being in case of incapacity or death. LGBTQ+ couples may face challenges in ensuring that their partner has the legal authority to make medical decisions on their behalf. Without proper healthcare proxies and advance directives, healthcare providers may prioritize biological family members over a same-sex spouse.While progress has been made in LGBTQ+ rights, there may still be instances of discrimination. Estate planning can help protect against potential discrimination in matters such as healthcare, funeral arrangements, and more, by clearly specifying and documenting your wishes so that they cannot be questioned. Learn more by visiting us at estate planning for LGBTQ+ families.