Ask the Expert: To what is fiancé entitled?
Karen E. Klein | Guest Author
The problem: I am a widow who's been living with my fiancé for 10
years. I own several properties titled solely in my name, some purchased
before we met and some after. My will does not name my fiancé as
a beneficiary, but I wonder: is he entitled to any portion of my assets?
The expert: Derrick Rubin, matrimonial and family law attorney, Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, Great Neck.
The rules: Common-law marriage was abolished in New York State in 1933,
so your fiancé isn't entitled to any of your assets under this
theory of law. However, he could sue under a "contract," "partnership"
or "equity" theory for an interest in your assets.
The strategy: If it's your intention, make clear in your will that your
fiancé is not entitled to your assets. If you are concerned about
him gaining control of your assets should your health deteriorate, execute
a durable power of attorney that appoints a trusted family member to act
on your behalf if you aren't able to make financial decisions someday.
How it works: If you don't marry your partner, he won't automatically be
entitled to share in your estate. If you do marry, upon your death he'd
be entitled to an "elective share" of the greater of $50,000
or one-third of your estate, even if your will does not leave him a penny.
New York recognizes common-law marriages contracted in another state or
country if the legal requirements there have been met. So if you and your
partner previously lived together in another state, and in that state
your relationship qualified as a common-law marriage, New York would recognize
the common-law marriage.
The results: Assuming you never marry your fiancé and weren't in
a common-law marriage elsewhere, he shouldn't automatically be entitled
to your assets. He could sue for a portion of your assets if he made any
economic and/or noneconomic contributions to your homes, such as home
improvements or design. He would have to prove any such entitlement in court.
