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Coffee with Claire #31 – Commonly Asked Questions Blog Series

October 12, 2018

Why would an unmarried couple need an estate plan?

Writer’s note: This blog series is meant to act as responses to “quick” questions you may have for attorneys.  Think of these answers as a “quick” answer you might receive over coffee from your friendly neighborhood attorney.

When you are in a committed, long-term, relationship, but are not married, there is some additional planning that is required.  Marriage gives people some automatic rights, that if you’re unmarried you need to make sure to take the affirmative step to give those rights.

If you have a spouse you are legally married to, there are certain automatic property items that go to your spouse (see Minn. Stat. § 524.2-102).  If you want the State or others to treat your partner the same, you need to take the affirmative step and create a Will.

Along the same lines, you need to make sure you have a Health Care Directive to direct your medical care providers the appropriate people to contact in the event you cannot communicate for yourself.

Finally, there may be some real estate transfers that you want to make or ensure happen.  Speaking with an attorney can prevent hurt feelings or wrong intentions in the future.

If you have questions about estate planning, please contact Claire Tralle to set up a free initial telephone call.

 

The information in the Coffee with Claire series are intended to provide information only.  No legal advice is being provided or implied via this blog post.  No attorney-client relationship is formed by providing this information.  An attorney-client relationship with Tralle Law, LLC is formed only after a retainer contact is signed by all parties.