Unmarried Couples and Estate Planning. Does It Make Sense?

The reality in the United States today is that more and more couples are deciding to live together without getting married. The U.S. Census confirmed this fact when its data showed that the number of live-in couples in the United States rose by 25 percent from 2000 to 2010. The lack of a marriage license does not mean that a live-in couple does not have shared assets or have a real emotional or financial stake in making decisions for significant others should they become sick or incapacitated.

Does Estate Planning Make Sense For An Unmarried Couple?

Absolutely. Just know that estate planning issues for unmarried couples can be more complex than those same issues are for married couples.

For instance, if a married spouse dies, the surviving spouse typically will inherit the house they mutually owned. That is not necessarily true for a live-in couple, even if they lived in the same house for decades. If the house has not been properly titled or if the partner who owned the house failed to specify in his or her will that the house will pass to the surviving partner, that partner may be superseded by the biological family of the deceased partner.

If you are unmarried and living together, you need to be vigilant to make sure your assets will pass to your partner. Naming your partner as the beneficiary of all of your pensions, retirement accounts, and insurance policies is essential. And, once again, a properly drafted will or trust may ensure that your assets pass to your partner and not to a blood relative of higher statutory authority.

Arizona Does Not Recognize Common Law Marriages

Some states recognize common-law marriages, but Arizona is not one of those states. Do not assume that if you have lived together for a substantial length of time that your assets will be protected. If you are a gay or lesbian couple legally married in another state, know that Arizona will not recognize your marriage because same-sex marriages are still not legal in Arizona.

If you are an unmarried couple and have questions about how to protect your assets, contact the estate planning attorneys at the law firm of Mushkatel, Robbins & Becker, PLLC in Phoenix. Call us at (480) 467-3434 or contact us online today to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys.

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