John* is a gay man who has been with his partner for over 20 years. He does not get along with his sisters, and his parents never accepted his lifestyle. If John were to die without a Will, per Florida Statutes, since he is not legally married in the state of Florida and he has no children, everything he owns, including the house, would go to his living relatives (in this case, his parents, who have all but disowned him). This means that his partner would be left without a place to live.
With a Will provided through Legal Aid’s Ryan White Project, John was relieved to discover he can leave everything, including his home, to his partner. In addition to his Will, John received a Power of Attorney, Living Will and a Designation of Health Care Surrogate, ensuring that his partner – the only person who he loves and trusts completely – would be able to step in and handle medical and/or financial needs should John ever be unable to do so himself. The peace of mind that comes with executing these four documents is invaluable to a client such as John.
*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of our clients.