Gay and Lesbian adults would be wise to consider the following items to protect themselves and their loved ones, especially when planning their aging.

1. Create a Basic Estate Plan. This would include a Will and/or Living Trust, Powers of Attorney (POA) for Property and Finances, and a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Advanced Directives. Do these now.
2. Review all your existing estate planning documents. Make sure they are complete, up to date and still legal according to current laws. Are the beneficiaries still appropriate? Are all your assets covered?
3. Plan for old age, illness, and disability. Research disability insurance, long-term care insurance, and life insurance.
4. Provide for Liquidity: Contemplate investing in life insurance if you need to leave assets for a surviving partner or children.
5. Be aware of your state’s domestic partnership laws. The following websites can be of assistance: www.nclrights.org, www.lambdalegal.org or www.hrc.org.

Resources:

National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)
870 Market St., Suite 370
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 392-6257
www.nclrights.org

Founded in 1977 and headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Washington, DC and St. Petersburg, FL, NCLR is a national lesbian, feminist, nonprofit law firm. NCLR gains and protects the legal and human rights of lesbians, gay men and bisexual and transgender people across the United States through impact litigation, public policy advocacy, public education and direct legal services.

Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
1640 Rhode Island Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
(800) 777-4723
www.hrc.org

HRC is a national organization that works to advance equality based on sexual orientation and gender expression and identity through advocacy and education.

Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund
Western Regional Office
3325 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1300
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 382-7600
www.lambdalegal.org

With headquarters in New York City and regional offices in the Midwest, South, South Central and West, LAMBDA is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender persons and persons living with AIDS through litigation, education and public policy work.

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF)
1800 Market St., Box #47
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 865-5620
www.BALIF.org

BALIF is a Minority Bar Association of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgendered persons and their supporters, with over 500 members including judges, lawyers, legal workers and law students. It is a helpful resource for information about laws affecting the greater LGBT community.

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