Have you recently gotten separated from a spouse and failed to update your legal documents and plans? This could be big mistake if you were to become suddenly disabled or to pass away. If you have your spouse legally listed on all of these forms, it’s important to realize that separation in and of itself does not mean that the spousal rights are immediately extinguished. 
That means that an estranged spouse could be making decisions on your behalf or managing your estate. Both Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain were separated from their spouses at the time of their death. If the separation is not followed up with a consultation with an estate planning attorney, the fact that couples are not legally divorced can lead to a number of estate planning issues.
Since modern family life is extremely complex, you need to sit down with your lawyer and discuss how your life may be affected by separation issues and which of your legal documents may take precedence over your existing will, such as beneficiary designations.
Our Pasadena estate planning lawyers can help you with all your planning needs.
