Estate Planning for LGBTQIA+ Families: How to Protect What Matters Most During Pride Month and Beyond
As Pride Month begins, we celebrate the progress made toward equality—and acknowledge the work still ahead. While the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges made marriage equality the law of the land, many LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, and families continue to face legal vulnerabilities that traditional estate planning often overlooks.
At Starsia Law, we believe this is the perfect time to ask: Is your legal plan as inclusive and protective as your life requires?
Legal Progress—and Persistent Gaps
Yes, marriage equality was a milestone—but it didn’t solve everything.
In many states, LGBTQIA+ parents (especially non-biological parents) still face challenges when asserting parental rights. Healthcare decisions can be contested by estranged biological family members. Financial accounts and inheritances can end up in the wrong hands if legal protections aren't clearly documented.
Even more concerning: studies show LGBTQIA+ adults are less likely to have an estate plan in place compared to their heterosexual counterparts—leaving them especially vulnerable to the very gaps that still exist in the legal system.
Why Traditional Estate Planning Falls Short
Most estate planning is transactional—centered around drafting a will and a few basic documents. But for LGBTQIA+ families, that’s not enough.
A basic will can still lead to:
Probate court, where decisions become public and can be challenged
Conflicts with biological relatives
Unclear outcomes for partners or children not legally recognized
What’s missing is context—a plan that reflects your unique family structure and adapts as your life evolves.
The Life & Legacy Planning® Difference
At Starsia Law, we take a different approach. We don’t just prepare documents—we create Life & Legacy Plans®, designed to provide clarity, continuity, and legal protection in every season of life.
Here’s what that includes:
🧠 Informed Planning
We begin by helping you understand what would happen to your loved ones if something happened to you today—with no plan in place. That clarity allows you to make empowered decisions moving forward.
🗂️ A Complete Asset Inventory
We include all your assets—bank accounts, property, digital accounts, family heirlooms, even your values and personal stories—so nothing is missed or lost.
💉 Medical Advocacy
We ensure your healthcare power of attorney and living will are structured so your partner or chosen family member can speak for you, without legal challenges or emotional confusion.
💰 Financial Security
We prepare financial powers of attorney so your partner or chosen representative can manage your affairs if you’re incapacitated—without needing court approval.
👨👩👧👦 Family Protection
We help non-traditional families—especially those with children—establish clear guardianship, adoption documents, or parenting agreements to ensure your family stays together.
🧾 Digital Legacy Management
From social media to cryptocurrency, we help you create a plan for your digital life—so your online presence and digital assets are handled exactly the way you want.
What LGBTQIA+ Families Need in a Plan
Every Life & Legacy Plan we create is tailored to your life and values. But here are a few must-haves for LGBTQIA+ individuals and families:
✅ Healthcare directives and HIPAA authorizations
✅ Financial power of attorney
✅ Living trust to avoid probate and preserve privacy
✅ Guardianship nominations and parental rights documentation
✅ Digital asset planning and legacy wishes
✅ Regular reviews to keep your plan current
Pride Month Is the Perfect Time to Start
Pride is about love, identity, and visibility—but it’s also about protection. Protection of your rights, your dignity, and your loved ones.
At Starsia Law, we work with LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, and families to build plans that:
Reflect your values
Anticipate legal gaps
Keep your chosen family safe and secure
Provide peace of mind for whatever comes next
Let’s Plan Your Legacy—Together
The laws may change, and the world may evolve—but your plan should remain strong and steady. Let’s make sure it does.
Take the first step today to protect your future and the people who matter most.
👉 Click the button below to schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation with our team and start your Life & Legacy Plan.
This article is a service of Starsia Law, a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning Session™, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love.
The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer® firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.