Same-Sex/LGBT*QIAP+ Couples

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Historically, domestic partner agreements were one of the only options available for same-sex or LGBT*QIAP+ couples who wished to establish themselves as a family in Florida. But since a United States District Court in Florida struck down Florida’s statutory and constitutional ban on same-sex marriages, domestic partnership is not the only game in town anymore.  However, some same-sex couples may still chose not to be married, but may still wish to establish themselves as a family unit, in which case domestic partnerships, along with other estate planning tools, may be an option to consider.
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Heterosexual Couples

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If you’re in a committed heterosexual relationship, but you do not wish to be married for whatever reason, you may want to consider entering into a domestic partner agreement, as well as executing other documents, to determine your and your partners rights regarding property, support, health care decisions, including what will happen in the event the relationship breaks up in the future, or in the event of the death of you or your partner.
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Type of Documents to Consider

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The types of documents you may want to consider in protecting yourself and/or your partner in a committed, non-married relationship, or if you and your partner have been married in a same-sex or LGBT*QIAP+ ceremony in another jurisdiction, are:

• Domestic Partnership Agreements
• Trusts
• Wills
• Designation of Health Care Surrogates
• Powers of Attorney
• Living Wills
• Declaration of Pre-Need Guardian

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* This includes non-binary genders