What Robin Roberts’ Story Teaches Us About Protecting Your Partner’s Rights in Nebraska

When journalist Robin Roberts married her longtime partner, Amber Laign, after many years together, she shared openly that one reason they chose to legally marry was tied to health care planning.

Robin had faced serious health challenges. Like many LGBTQ+ couples and chosen families, they understood a vital truth: in times of crisis, love and intention aren’t always enough. You need legal protection.

And here in Nebraska, that is especially important to understand—whether you’re married, unmarried, or simply building a life together in ways the law doesn’t automatically recognize.

If You Can’t Make Medical Decisions, Nebraska Law Defaults to Family—Unless You Plan Ahead

If you are unable to make your own medical decisions—due to an accident, illness, or surgery—Nebraska law dictates who may be allowed to speak for you.

Under Nebraska’s Uniform Health Care Consent Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1335 et seq.), there is a hierarchy of decision-makers if no Advance Directive is in place:

• Spouse (if married)

• Adult children

• Parents

• Adult siblings

• Other relatives

Unmarried partners and chosen family members are not on this list—even if you’ve built your entire life together.

And HIPAA laws prohibit hospitals and providers from sharing medical information with anyone not legally authorized.

In other words, if something happens, your partner could be legally shut out of critical decisions and updates—unless you’ve planned ahead.

Two Essential Tools to Protect Your Partner (and Yourself) in Nebraska

1. Advance Directive, Including Power of Attorney for Health Care

This is the most important document for health care decisions.

Under Nebraska’s Uniform Health Care Advance Directives Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-3401 et seq.), you can:

• Name the person you trust to make medical decisions if you cannot

• Give them authority to access your medical records under HIPAA

• Specify your wishes for end-of-life care, life-sustaining treatment, and organ donation (through an optional Living Will component)

For LGBTQ+ couples, unmarried partners, and chosen family, this is absolutely essential.

Without this document, Nebraska law does not recognize the deep bonds of chosen family or non-marital partnerships when it comes to life-or-death decisions.

2. Durable Power of Attorney for Finances

Serious illness affects more than just medical care.

Someone may need to:

• Pay your bills

• Manage your bank accounts

• Handle insurance

• Manage your home or business

A Durable Power of Attorney for Finances (governed by Nebraska’s Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-4001 et seq.) allows you to:

• Name someone you trust to handle financial and legal matters if you are incapacitated

• Ensure your partner or chosen family—not a court-appointed conservator—has control if something happens

Without this, Nebraska law may require your family to go to County Court to seek a conservatorship—a slow, public process that often defaults to biological family members rather than the person you would want.

Marriage Is One Tool—But It’s Not Enough

Robin Roberts’ story reminds us that marriage provides some rights—but legal documents still matter:

• Even married couples should have Advance Directives and Durable Powers of Attorney for clarity and peace of mind.

• For couples who choose not to marry—or who are waiting—these documents are non-negotiable.

Hospitals sometimes hesitate to rely on a partner’s word alone, even in long-term relationships. With clear, legally binding documents in place, there is no ambiguity.

This Is About Dignity—and About Love

At the heart of this is a simple truth: You deserve to have the person you trust most protecting your wishes.

You deserve the peace of mind of knowing that if life takes an unexpected turn, your partner, your chosen family member, or your trusted friend will have the legal authority to stand by your side and speak for you—not estranged relatives, outdated assumptions, or impersonal court processes.

I’m here to help.

If you’re an LGBTQ+ individual, an unmarried partner, part of a chosen family, or simply want to ensure your wishes are honored, let’s take this important step.

You can reach me at 402-259-0059 or zach@zandersonlaw.com to schedule a consultation.

Because the best time to plan for life’s unexpected moments is before they happen—and because every family deserves to be protected, in the ways that matter most.