Adulthood comes with a lot of responsibilities—and paperwork. When it comes to ensuring your wishes are carried out in case of death or a serious illness, staying on top of it is key. While being married provides certain protections, like determining who will receive your assets and who can make decisions about your medical care, it’s not always a perfect solution. This is especially true for the LGBTQIA+ community, where there’s growing concern about the legal status of marriages and protections in the future.
Here’s a breakdown of the critical documents you need: wills, living wills, and power of attorney, and how to create them to ensure your wishes are followed.
Will
A will is a document that tells the people you leave behind what to do with your belongings and assets. Without a will, the government will decide for you—your next of kin will inherit your property. If you’re Childfree, or have complicated relationships with your family, it’s especially important to outline exactly who should inherit your assets. Wills are flexible—they can be changed whenever necessary, especially as your life evolves and you acquire new assets.
Living Will
A living will, also called a medical proxy or healthcare directive, makes it clear what medical treatments you do (or don’t) want if you’re unable to communicate. These can be tough decisions, but they are crucial, especially if you’re Childfree and not married, or if you don’t want family members (like parents) to make those decisions for you. It’s vital to assign a trusted person to make medical choices on your behalf if needed.
Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney is a legal document that gives someone the authority to make medical, legal, and financial decisions for you if you’re incapacitated. It’s essential to choose someone you trust completely to handle your affairs in the event of a serious medical emergency. This document ensures there’s no ambiguity about who is in charge.
How Do You Get Them?
Getting your paperwork in order doesn’t have to be daunting. Services like Trust & Will are affordable, easy to use, and can guide you through setting up your will, living will, and power of attorney. If you have pets, you can designate someone to care for them, and you can add any specific instructions or wishes you want to be followed.
Print your documents, have them signed by witnesses, and get them notarized to make everything official. Check with your employer, too—some benefits packages include legal assistance, so you might be able to get help from an attorney at a lower cost.
Talking about these documents with your loved ones may be uncomfortable, but it’s essential to ensure your wishes are known. Don’t put it off—take the first step toward peace of mind today.