Planning Your End-Of-Life Needs
End-of-life legal planning is essential to ensure that your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are taken care of after you pass on. Performing this legal task ensures your estate and everything you worked hard for in life are properly cared for by the people or estates you want in charge of them when you’re no longer around. One crucial step in this process is hiring an estate attorney to help you navigate the complex legal matters involved in estate planning. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of having a power of attorney, the need to update your will, what should be included in your will, and how an estate attorney can assist you in ensuring that nothing is overlooked.
Start With Appointing A Power Of Attorney
A power of attorney is a legal document that gives someone else of your choosing the authority to make decisions for you if you become incapacitated or unable to make these decisions on your own. These decisions include medical and financial ones. This person is often a trusted friend or family member, and they can perform duties on your behalf when you no longer can, such as writing checks. It is crucial to have a power of attorney in place to ensure that someone you trust has the ability to manage your affairs and make important decisions for you if necessary. An estate attorney can help you draft a power of attorney that aligns with your specific needs and ensures that your wishes are carried out.
Next, Update Your Will
Updating your will is another critical aspect of estate planning that often gets overlooked. Life circumstances change with marriages, divorces, births, deaths, and career moves. The people you want to leave your estate to may change as well. It is essential to review and update your will periodically to reflect these changes and ensure that they accurately reflect your current wishes. An experienced estate attorney can help you review and update your will as needed to avoid any potential issues down the road.
Make Sure You’ve Included Everything
Several key items should not be overlooked when it comes to what should be included in your will. This includes naming beneficiaries for assets such as property, bank accounts, retirement accounts, and personal belongings. You should also designate guardians for any minor children or dependents and specify how you want your assets distributed after your passing. An estate attorney can provide guidance on what should be included in your will based on your unique circumstances and preferences.
What If You Forget Something?
If you forget to include something in your estate or wish to make changes after drafting your will, an estate attorney can amend or update it accordingly. An addendum can be added to make minor changes or updates without rewriting the entire document. However, if significant changes are needed, it may be best to create a new will altogether. An experienced estate attorney can assist you in making any necessary revisions or additions to ensure that nothing is overlooked when planning for the distribution of your assets.
Hiring an estate attorney is a wise decision when it comes to planning for your end-of-life needs. From drafting a power of attorney and updating your will regularly to ensuring that all essential items are included in your estate plan, an experienced lawyer can provide valuable guidance throughout the process. By working with an estate attorney, you can rest assured knowing that everything is properly documented and legally binding according to your wishes. Don’t wait until it’s too late – start planning for the future today and contact our office to learn more.