LGBTQ+ Estate Planning for a World That’s One Policy Away From Chaos

If estate planning isn’t already on your radar, let me paint you a picture... The year is 2025. The government has banned TikTok, it is the eve of Trump's second inauguration, and the only thing keeping you sane is your dog, your partner, and that perfectly curated Spotify playlist.

But let me ask you this: If something happened to you tomorrow, would your Spotify account, your partner, or your dog be protected? Or will your second cousin, who still thinks “being woke” is an insult, inherit everything—including your streaming history? Because if you don’t have an estate plan, the law defaults to people who didn’t even know your pronouns.

Why LGBTQ+ Folks Can’t Afford to Wing It

Here’s the thing: for LGBTQ+ people, the law doesn’t automatically prioritize the people you actually love. If you’re partnered but unmarried—or if your “family” looks more like a D&D party than a traditional sitcom—you’re at risk of leaving everything to someone who will immediately sell your houseplants on Facebook Marketplace.

Here’s what’s at stake:

1. Your Partner Could Be Cut Out: If you’re not legally married, your partner has no automatic rights to your estate. Your blood relatives—yes, even the ones who still send “prayers” about your lifestyle—could swoop in and take everything.

2. Your Chosen Family Could Be Ignored: The government doesn’t recognize brunch partners, friends, or that roommate who helped you survive 2020. Without a will, your chosen family gets left out.

3. The Chaos Could Be Biblical: Do you really want Aunt Linda, who once tried to ban Harry Potter from her kid’s school, deciding the fate of your assets? No? Then let’s get to planning.

   
   

The Apocalypse-Proof LGBTQ+ Estate Planning Kit

Here’s what you need to secure your future, no matter what fresh hell the world throws at us next:

1. A Will

   • Think of it as your posthumous clapback. A will lets you decide who gets what, from your crypto wallet to your custom Funko Pop collection.

   • Pro Tip: Be painfully specific. Don’t assume your family knows your vinyl collection is off-limits unless you say so.

2. A Healthcare Directive

   • This is the “please don’t let Uncle Frank make decisions about my ventilator” document. It ensures someone you trust (and who knows what gender-neutral pronouns are) is in charge of your medical care.

   • Without it? Your estranged aunt could decide you’re better off in a church-run hospice than getting actual treatment.

3. Power of Attorney

   • Give someone you trust control over your finances if you’re incapacitated. Otherwise, you might end up with the same person who can’t even manage their own bank account.

4. Beneficiary Designations

   • These are the secret backdoors of estate planning. If your 401(k) still lists your ex as the beneficiary, guess who gets that money? Update these immediately.

5. A Trust

   • Want to make sure your assets go exactly where you want (and avoid probate)? A trust is like the VIP lounge of estate planning—exclusive, effective, and free from public scrutiny.

   
   

Estate Planning as Self-Defense

Let’s call it what it is: estate planning is resistance. It’s telling a system that has often tried to erase LGBTQ+ lives, “Not today.” It’s ensuring your partner, your chosen family, and your community are protected, even if the legal landscape shifts faster than your TikTok FYP.

Planning your legacy isn’t just about protecting your stuff—it’s about protecting your story. And it’s one way to stay in control, even when the rest of the world feels like it’s spiraling into a reboot of Mad Max.

The Bottom Line: Secure Your Future, Roast Your Enemies

Here’s the deal: planning your estate won’t stop the apocalypse, but it will make sure your dog, your partner, and your collection of ironic mugs are safe from the wrong people. You’ve spent your life building a legacy—don’t leave it up to Aunt Karen or a probate court to decide what happens next.

So let’s get started. Because whether it’s a TikTok ban or another round of questionable executive orders, your future deserves better than chaos.