By My Whole Life Hub 
There’s a quiet, courageous love in estate planning. A kindness that often goes unnoticed, yet speaks volumes. It says: I want to protect you, even if I’m not here to do it in person. For LGBTQIA+ individuals and families in Alabama, that kind of protection is not just thoughtful, it’s essential.
Your attorneys understand that estate planning is more than just dividing assets or drafting legal language into a document. It’s about preserving your legacy, protecting the people you love, and affirming your identity long after you’re no longer there. That’s why we approach every estate plan with care, discretion, and a commitment to serving all families, traditional, chosen, blended, and everything in between.
🌈 Why Estate Planning Is a Lifeline for LGBTQIA+ Families
While marriage equality was a landmark victory, the law still doesn’t always reflect the reality of LGBTQIA+ families, especially in conservative regions or among families that don’t conform to traditional legal templates.
Consider this:
- You’ve been with your partner for 15 years, but you’re not married. Without a will, your partner may inherit nothing.
- You helped raise your child since birth, but never formally adopted them. If you pass away, the state may not recognize you as a legal parent.
- Your estranged biological family could override your chosen family in making medical or burial decisions if you haven’t legally appointed someone to act for you.
These are not just hypotheticals. They’re real outcomes we’ve helped clients navigate to prevent. Estate planning gives you the power to define your life, even when you’re no longer able to speak for yourself.
📝 Core Documents Every LGBTQIA+ Individual Should Consider
Let’s break down the building blocks of a strong estate plan:
1. Last Will and Testament
Your will dictates how your assets will be distributed, names guardians for minor children, and appoints an executor to handle your estate.
Without a valid will, Alabama’s intestacy law favors sending assets to your biological family, regardless of your wishes.
2. Advance Directive for Healthcare
This document names a trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so. It also allows you to express your wishes regarding end-of-life care, organ donation, and other matters. For LGBTQIA+ people, this is critical, especially when families of origin might disregard or dispute your wishes.
3. Durable Power of Attorney
If you’re unable to manage your finances due to illness or injury, your agent (the person you appoint) can pay bills, access accounts, and act in your best interests. It ensures continuity and control in stressful moments.
4. Revocable Living Trust
A trust allows you to bypass probate and distribute assets more privately. It’s ideal for couples who co-own property or want greater control over when and how beneficiaries receive assets.
5. Parentage & Guardianship Designations
This is especially important for LGBTQIA+ parents in non-biological or blended roles. If your child only has one legal parent, and something happens to them, your relationship with the child could be legally severed unless you’ve established guardianship or adopted the child.
⚖️ What Happens Without a Plan?
Let’s say you pass away without a will. What happens?
In Alabama, the state uses a “default” formula based on blood relationships. That might mean:
- A long-term partner gets nothing
- A child you didn’t legally adopt is not recognized
- A sibling you haven’t spoken to in years inherits your home
- A parent who rejected your identity becomes your legal decision-maker in a medical crisis
Without legal documentation, the state’s version of “family” takes precedence, often at odds with the life and love you’ve built.
🤝 We Make the Process Personal and Accessible
Local attorneys understand that estate planning is personal. We’ll never rush you through forms or hand you generic templates. Instead, we sit down with you, on the phone or in person, and ask:
- What does your family situation look like?
- Who do you trust most to care for your children, your home, or your health?
- What relationships need to be honored legally, even if they aren’t recognized socially or biologically?
From there, we tailor your plan with warmth, legal precision, and the affirmation you deserve.
🛡 For Unmarried Partners: Legal Tools to Protect Your Bond
While marriage offers certain automatic protections, you don’t have to be married to secure your partner. Here’s what we recommend:
- Joint ownership agreements for property
- Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance
- Healthcare proxies and financial powers of attorney
- Living wills and HIPAA authorizations so your partner can access your medical information
- Cohabitation agreements to clarify shared assets and responsibilities
Even if you never sign a marriage license, you can still build a legal safety net that’s strong and protective.
Aqib