End of Life Planning
While having a will (and possibly one or more trusts) is an important first step, many people mistakenly believe this is the only end-of-life planning they need to do. However, I strongly recommend that people create a comprehensive estate plan, which includes not only documents that plan for your wishes regarding your death, but also documents that plan for your end-of-life care when you might be incapacitated and unable to express them yourself.
Many people fail to plan for incapacity during life, but such situations can take a huge emotional toll on your loved ones and result in sensitive disputes, especially if there is confusion about what your wishes would be regarding how to handle your medical treatment or your finances. I can help you remove some of the burden of decision-making by helping you set your wishes down ahead of time in a comprehensive estate plan that includes an Advance Directive and a Financial Power of Attorney.
Advance Directive
The Advance Directive combines a Health Care Power of Attorney and a Living Will, allowing you to make decisions about what types of medical treatment you do and don’t want, and choose who makes other unanticipated decisions for you if you’re unable to express your wishes at the time.
Power of Attorney
The Financial Power of Attorney allows other people to manage your finances for you when you’re alive, but incapable of doing so on your own.
Both at the end of your life and after your death, if you don’t properly plan and make certain choices, the state will make them for you. But the state defaults are not ideal for everyone. A comprehensive estate plan can serve to give you comfort, can preserve your dignity in your final days, can ensure that your wishes for your property are honored, and can prevent a great deal of animosity and distress for your family and friends.
