A “traditional” family is made up of a husband and wife and their biological children. However, non-traditional families make up the bulk of households in America, according to the US census bureau. Some examples of non-traditional families can include:
- Single-parent households
- Cohabitation of unwed couples in the same household
- Extended family from different generations
- Same-sex or LGBTQ families
- Blended families of more than 1 biological family in the same household
The critical tools for a non-traditional family are a living trust, wills, powers of attorney and health care directives.
The benefits of these documents combine to protect your partner, children, and assets from misinterpretation at your incapacity or death. For example, you and your partner determine how and to whom your combined and separate assets are distributed. We make it clear who is managing your affairs and medical decisions, and no one is left out.
Without a proper estate plan, the other partner could be legally precluded from having any role in making decisions about his or her partner’s care, managing his or her affairs, or even having access to the incapacitated partner.
If you find yourself without these protections, contact us today at (818) 369-7900 or (435) 216- 4444 or contact us online.