ASSURING LEGAL RIGHTS FOR YOUR PARTNER
by: Iris K Barratt, Life Plan Now.org

Assuring Legal Rights for Your Partner By Rev. Iris K Barratt

It is generally stressful for gay and unmarried couples to not have the same legal rights that heterosexual, married couples possess by law. As the struggle for equal rights continues on in cities, states and countries around the world, many are angry and disheartened. There is a simple way to create peace of mind for yourself and clarity and harmony for your partner and other family members. Filling out legal forms may not sound like the answer, but in this case, it has the potential to ease your mind and prevent unnecessary burdens on you, your partner, your family and loved ones. You can choose to legally give your partner the rights you feel they deserve, like caring for you medically and being informed about your condition, being granted your personal property and more.

The harsh truth is that families fight over life and death treatments, they fight over custody of children and they fight over possessions, usually with an insane sense of entitlement and self-righteousness enhanced by grief and loss. If you don't make these decisions (and properly document them) some one else will make these decisions for you, usually the courts or your biological family.None of us wants our family or loved ones arguing over our health care, end of life care, control of our affairs and resources or arguing over our precious children.

Regardless of current age, health, financial status or family situation, every adult needs to have the following forms completed, witnessed and notarized.

General Power of Attorney- allows you to designate a person to handle all of your affairs during a period of time when you are unable to do so.

Medical Power of Attorney- allows you to designate a person who will have the authority to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are unconscious, mentally incompetent, or otherwise unable to make such decisions. This includes choices regarding health care providers and medical treatments.

Living Will- a document telling your doctors what to do if you are too ill to decide. It takes effect only if you are unable to tell others your wishes and the doctor believes that you are permanently unconscious, or that death is near and you are not able to communicate.

Last Will and Testament- makes provisions for the distribution of your property after your death, and includes establishing your desired guardianship of minor children.

Because the reality is, that most people don't do this simply because it is a daunting task to take on alone & it is usually expensive, Life Plan Now.org is hosting Do-It-Yourself workshops, to make the process easy and inexpensive so that you will actually get it done. If you choose to attend one of these workshops, you will be provided relevant information, all of the forms, instructions, equipment, witnesses and notarization required. On-going workshops are held at The Mountain Resource Center in Conifer, day care centers and other Denver and Boulder community locations. They require pre-registration, photo identification, 2 hours and $150.

Life Plan Now emphasizes that they are not attorneys, nor do they give legal advice. If you need any legal advice, they urge you to contact an attorney. This is their heartfelt request for your partner and family: No matter how you do it, if you don't have these documents completed, please just actually get it done to preserve harmony and clarity within your family.

As a minister, therapist, notary, ambulance attendant and aids /hospice volunteer, Rev. Iris K Barratt has been called upon to witness many very unpleasant situations that could have been avoided by having these documents prepared in advance. She has therefore, become dedicated to providing affordable and comprehensive workshops to allow adults of all ages to complete an abundance of legal documentation to clarify many important decisions and actually get it all completed. Iris Barratt clearly sees herself lovingly working as a peacemaker, mother and grandmother helping to protect families from unwanted and unnecessary family dramas and court costs. She has a strong history of honoring diversity and peacemaking. She has seen how documenting your choices, brings respect, clarity and peace of mind to everyone involved.

In just a few short hours, you will have a completed, witnessed and notarized packet of documents containing your personal instructions to family and loved ones. "Even if you choose not to use our services, please make sure you figure out a way to complete this important documentation. It is just so important for preserving family harmony and responsible choices for your partner, children, family and loved ones. This is a meaningful way to honor personal and community diversity with the fairness and respect we all deserve." Rev. Iris K Barratt




[7/23/10]