Planning Benefits for Domestic Partners

"If there's intestacy, there could be a real hassle to disentangle this," he says. "When close relatives are not supportive off the relationship, it can be pretty ugly."

Tracking Down Experts

Partners should find tax, legal and estate-planning experts who have experience with their situation to make sure all aspects are given the proper consideration.

"All of these things have to be balanced very delicately because they all affect each other," says Weinberg.

Getting a referral from a trusted network of people can better ensure that the lawyer or planner is sympathetic and experienced with the situation.

It can be a long and frustrating process to hunt down professionals, pay the extra costs, pore through the paperwork, update information and make tough financial and personal decisions. However, its importance can't be overstated, especially for those with large assets or complicated situations that will require a roadmap in case of emergency or death.

"It's a pain in the neck," says Zawaski. "There are lawyers' fees to draw it up; you have to retitle all your assets. But once it's done, it's done."

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