So the law has almost caught up with LGBT love. Whether you're planning a civil union or not, everyone needs to talk about the "M" word at some point.
The "M" word is "money." Here's a series of questions on my website, www.claudiaperryink.com, that can help you start that talk with your loved ones. Most people say they need time to think about all this stuff. However, few folks shut off their computers, put the dog in the crate and silence all media and concentrate on their financial needs. The following will help you get started.
1. What do you care about?
2. Who are you responsible for?
3. Where do you live and how do you pay for it?
4. What will happen if you can't work and pay your bills?
5. How is your health?
6. Will your health always be what it is now?
7. How do you want to live when you no longer work?
8. What will you do if you lose your work?
9. How will you take care of the people you love if they need your help?
10. Do you believe in planning ahead?
Answering these questions is a good way to start figuring out what you need to protect. For example, your ability to earn a living is your biggest asset. Is that protected if you are sick or hurt? You may have some benefits through your job. What happens if that job goes away? If you have a partner or children and something happens to you, have you made sure they won't have to leave your home or skip college?
Also, when you're old, do you want your partner worrying about getting help if you need care? If you're still on good terms with your biological family or have a family of choice, could you count on them for help in your later years? People who love you may not want to change your diapers or help you bathe when the need for those services arises.
Lastly, do you want your money to outlive you, or would you prefer the other way around? In my work, insurance and financial services, most people want their money to outlast them. There are a number of ways you can make that happen. The specifics vary with each client so I won't discuss individual products here. However, May is Disability Income Awareness Month as well National Bike Month. The sponsors of each campaign probably weren't thinking along these lines, but a bike accident can disable you and put your income at risk. As a cyclist and a driver, I'm careful. Not everyone is.
So as the LGBT community celebrates the civil-union step on the road to full equality, make sure you and your loved one will be able to celebrate additional steps on this road without worry. In short, what's your story and how do you want to make sure as many of the chapters are as happy as possible?
Claudia Perry is a broker for several insurance companies and a supporter of Equality Illinois. For more information, visit www.claudiaperryink.com .