West Essex Tribune
July 22, 2004
There are 6 Common Misconceptions about Domestic Partnerships that you need to know about.
You should know:
- Your Domestic Partner has no right to inherit from you. Your Domestic Partner receives nothing on your death unless you have a Will naming him or her.
- Your Domestic Partner has no say in your funeral arrangements unless you have a Will naming him or her to make those decisions.
- Your estate may pay federal and New Jersey estate taxes even if you leave everything to your Domestic Partner. Proper planning can reduce or eliminate these taxes.
- Your Domestic Partner has no “parental” rights or obligations with respect to your children. These rights can be granted in your Will.
- Your Domestic Partner has no right to a “spousal elective share” of your estate (a right to take one-third of your estate if left less than that from your estate) and may be completely disinherited.
- Your Domestic Partner may become liable for your long term medical care. This is of special significance to opposite sex couples over 62 years of age who are considering becoming Domestic Partners.
These issues, and others, can be addressed by proper planning in your Will and in a Domestic Partnership Agreement between you and your Domestic Partner.