Protecting your life partner

By Beth Newcomb

Blood is thicker than water—and, when it comes to estate matters, is more important than the ties you have to your significant other, says Jay Nabors, a Cleveland-based attorney who focuses on estate planning. “There is a trend toward older adults choosing not to marry but to instead simply live as partners and share their lives. And many same-sex couples opting to grow old together are deciding not to make the union legal,” Jay explains. “The problem is, no matter how much of a life you’ve built with the one you love, if you pass away, he or she will get nothing to which they don’t hold title, or you don’t bequeath to them.”

What that means is unless your partner is specifically listed in your will as the person you want to inherit your estate, whether all or part, your blood relatives take precedence. And if they don’t care for your longtime love, they can decide to evict him or her from the house, sell the car, clean out the bank account, and keep grandma’s diamond ring for themselves.

Another important area to consider naming your significant other is on your living will and powers of attorney for finances and healthcare. Otherwise, when it comes to making important medical decisions, or even visiting with you in the hospital, that person can be left out in the cold.

“You need to have your wishes in writing,” Jay emphasizes. “Creating the proper estate documents can protect your life partner.”

Jay is a partner with Weston Hurd LLP. Typically he sees clients at the firm’s office in downtown Cleveland, in addition to meeting with clients in Strongsville upon request. House calls and select evening appointments are available.

To reach Jay Nabors of Weston Hurd LLP, call him directly at 216-687-3205. His office is located at 1300 E. 9th Street, Suite 1400 in downtown Cleveland. Jay can also meet clients at 11221 Pearl Road in Strongsville.