Ask QC: Wish We Were Married
Dear Ask QC
Although my problem may not be as “colorful” as some of those I’ve read in your column recently, nevertheless we need some practical advice that I hope the readers can help us with.
Myself and my partner both live in a country which, unfortunately doesn’t recognize same sex marriages or partnerships so myself and my partner live very much in the closet. That’s not the problem, in fact we are out to our close friends who know us well as we have been together as a couple for more than 15 years now (and no we aren’t THAT old! Haha! 37 and 41).
The advice we are seeking is very much to do with our wealth, properties and business that we run together and have worked hard to achieve over the years. Without going into too many details we haven’t been able to locate a sympathetic lawyer and so intend to write wills together and split everything we own 50/50 down the middle should the worst happen.
Our main question is this, what advice QC readers can give us or is there something fundamental that we may have missed (for example being able to attend funerals or to act as power of attorney if either of us becomes incapacitated). I’m sure there are loads of things we need to do to protect ourselves (things which would be automatic rights were we to be a heterosexual married couple) but we would really appreciate any advice being offered? Does, for example, it count for anything if we were to get married overseas even though this would not be recognized legally in our own country, would this count for anything?
Best regards,
Wish We Were Married
Although my problem may not be as “colorful” as some of those I’ve read in your column recently, nevertheless we need some practical advice that I hope the readers can help us with.
Myself and my partner both live in a country which, unfortunately doesn’t recognize same sex marriages or partnerships so myself and my partner live very much in the closet. That’s not the problem, in fact we are out to our close friends who know us well as we have been together as a couple for more than 15 years now (and no we aren’t THAT old! Haha! 37 and 41).
The advice we are seeking is very much to do with our wealth, properties and business that we run together and have worked hard to achieve over the years. Without going into too many details we haven’t been able to locate a sympathetic lawyer and so intend to write wills together and split everything we own 50/50 down the middle should the worst happen.
Our main question is this, what advice QC readers can give us or is there something fundamental that we may have missed (for example being able to attend funerals or to act as power of attorney if either of us becomes incapacitated). I’m sure there are loads of things we need to do to protect ourselves (things which would be automatic rights were we to be a heterosexual married couple) but we would really appreciate any advice being offered? Does, for example, it count for anything if we were to get married overseas even though this would not be recognized legally in our own country, would this count for anything?
Best regards,
Wish We Were Married
What say you, dear QC readers? Any lawyers out there who can help Wish We Were Married? Perhaps you have a similar situation and have set yourselves up legally? Please feel free to share your own experiences and advice to help him in the comments section.
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Feb 13, 2008
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