May 6, 2016

It is a mistake to believe that as an unmarried couple that you don’t have legal rights and protections that can be afforded to you by the process of basic New Jersey estate planning. This myth is easy enough to believe if individuals suspect that having no real legal relationship means they don’t have anything that needs to be addressed in their estate planning process.

Unfortunately, if you do not address your estate planning options early, even as an unmarried couple, you may run the risk of your significant other being removed from your life or having no rights in the event that you become incapacitated. There are three primary documents that an unmarried couple should consider in their estate planning.

• A durable power of attorney which allows you to name another individual to act on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
• A will or living trust so that you can stipulate how you wish your assets to be distributed if something were to happen to you.
• A healthcare power of attorney which empowers another individual to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.

All of these documents and many more can be accomplished by setting up a meeting with your New Jersey estate planning attorney as soon as possible. Unmarried couples certainly have legal rights to consider and working with an attorney who understands their needs is critical.