The Marriage Equality Act

One in four new marriages in New York City is a same-sex marriage, and same-sex spouses need estate planning and asset protection!

The Law Firm of Lance P. Armstrong, PLLC in Staten Island has a longstanding reputation for protecting what's important to our clients. The firm opens a new chapter in client protection under the Marriage Equality Act. With the passing of New York's same-sex marriage law on July 24, 2011, gay and lesbian couples can benefit from estate planning and family asset preservation strategies. These strategies, not previously available in same-sex relationships, now can be implemented. Good planning provides options for the protection of your rights and preservation of your assets under the new law. With a free consultation, learn your options as they pertain to:

• Marriage obligations under the Marriage Equality Act that now benefit you — Support, inheritance, retirement, insurance, creditors, and Medicaid eligibility for government-paid, long-term care for spouses
• Trusts — The use of living trusts to accomplish plan goals and to avoid probate
• Avoidance of potential tax and legal consequences affecting same-sex marriage spouses, including conflicts in federal and state laws, income tax, estate tax, generation skipping and gift taxes, retirement funds, and health care benefits
• Estate planning documents you must now have in place to protect yourself and your spouse — Wills, health care proxy, durable power of attorney, deeds and property ownership, exemptions for benefit of spouse, minor or disabled children, right of election if you are not protected in your spouse’s will, out-of-state property, intestate succession (dying without a will results in the state deciding who receives your property when you die), and avoiding probate and tax issues
• Plan of disposition to your spouse, adopted children, children from prior marriages, and step-children — Rights and obligations of children
• Prenuptial or Postnuptial agreements — Allow you to agree with each other with respect to property rights, ownership of property, right to occupy each other’s real property, and otherwise state the rules of your marriage
• Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and effect on Social Security, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, prior cohabitation agreements, civil unions, and how recent court cases are likely to reverse denial of your federal benefits 

An Excellent Lawyer Protects You!

Do not let the state or federal government take what rightfully belongs to you and your family. If you live in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the other boroughs, let the Staten Island Estate Planning Attorneys of The Law Firm of Lance P. Armstrong, PLLC provide you with a plan to protect your rights and your assets. Call us today at 888-721-2993 to schedule your free consultation.