Not many of us enjoy discussing sickness or death. But ignoring or denying the situation only causes more problems. Leaving important legal affairs unattended will only make matters worse in high-anxiety situations.

I have years of experience providing members of the gay and lesbian community with legal advice for these unfortunate, but inevitable situations. I can help you or you and your partner to protect your interests in a comfortable environment where you are free to be yourself and to ask questions openly and honestly.

Even if you do not have a partner or neither you nor your partner suffers from a life-threatening disease, it is important to have your legal affairs in order. Maryland law does not recognize same sex unions. The unfortunate state of the law leaves the gay and lesbian community particularly vulnerable during the already trying times accompanying illness and death. There are a number of simple ways in which you can protect yourself. I can help you take advantage of applicable exceptions.

During my years as an attorney, I have heard an endless number of horror stories from unprotected partners who were not permitted to care for or even to visit their partners, and from unprotected surviving partners who were left out in the cold when family members came in and took over.

I strongly advise all same sex couples to execute Wills, Financial Powers of Attorney and Advanced Health Care Directives. These relatively inexpensive documents are worth their weight in gold if you and your partner are going through a medical situation or if a medical emergency develops. Do yourself a favor and protect yourself and your partner from dire consequences if an unfortunate medical situation arises.

There are many pitfalls to be avoided. Don’t wait until it’s too late. I promise you that leaving matters unattended will only make a bad situation even worse.

You will need the following information in order to prepare your Wills, Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives for Health Care:

Wills

• Special funeral and/or burial arrangements, including cremation
• Name of your first choice for personal representative (executor)
• Name of your second choice for personal representative
• People to whom you would like to distribute your assets after death, including but not limited to specific requests of money, personal or real property, etc.
• The person(s) to whom you wish to leave the remainder of your estate and alternative(s), if that person(s) does not survive you

Financial Power of Attorney

• Name of person to be designated as your financial agent
• Names of bank or other financial institutions with account numbers for individually titled accounts
• Addresses of any real property that you own

Advance Directive for Health Care

• Name and telephone numbers, including home and cell numbers of the person you wish to designate to be in charge of your medical decisions
• Name and telephone numbers of a second or even a third alternate person
• Decisions about organ and tissue donation or whether you would like to donate your body or any of its parts to science

I would be happy to discuss the specifics of your personal situation with you. Call me. I can provide you with information specific to your case and will quote you a reasonable fee for a Will and/or POAs and Advance Directives. It will be much easier for you to deal with these already uncomfortable issues in safe, community-friendly surroundings.