The scary part of all this is that current common law seems to always default to "Next Of Kin" when there is any doubt about who should handle a person's finances, assets, even that person's care, should they be deemed incapable of doing those things themslves.
I have only 2 siblings left, they are both extremely hostile and corrupt people, and I have been intentionally estranged from them for years.
I have explored the idea of officially removing them as my Next Of Kin but that is not a possibility. Short of getting married to someone just so they can play the role of my legal spouse, I have no option to protect myself from them other than to "bullet-proof" my paperwork, including healthcare power of attorney listing multiple back-up designees, legal POA with same, and very clear, multiple layered estate paperwork.
I do not just ignore the siblings existence in the paperwork, I call them out by name and relationship status to be omitted from consideration for anything concerning my assets or needs.
From the article: "You can bulletproof your estate planning documents by making it explicitly clear those family members are not to receive any assets or make any decisions on your behalf."
Hopefully, any questions about any of this would get to a judge who would see my intentions and respect them.
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