People who have life partners in California may need to do some specific estate planning to make sure their wishes are carried out. It makes a difference for your estate plan whether you are in a registered domestic partnership or simply life partners. Registered Domestic Partnership If you are in a registered domestic partnership, then you have certain rights to pass on property to your partner even if you do not make a will. First, you must meet the requirements to register your domestic partnership with the Secretary of State. For example, you should share a residence, be responsible for each other’s living expenses, and be members of the same sex or over age 62. Registered domestic partners can inherit property from their partners, be beneficiaries of trusts, act as agents for powers of attorney or advance directives, and be estate executors. If a partner in a registered domestic partnership passes away without making a will, then the surviving partner can inherit…