Estate Planning Documents| Estate Planning Made Easier
Planning your estate is one of the ways to protect your loved ones in case of incapacitation or unexpected death. It gives you a sense of peace because you’re certain that your attorney or any other person you appoint will execute your wishes to your dependents’ interests.
Before getting started, consider speaking with an estate attorney to understand the best practices and whether any laws might conflict with your estate planning. Having legal counsel will also reduce your workload because they can process your estate planning documents, so all you have to do is review and sign.
Durable Power of an Attorney
When you’re temporarily or permanently incapacitated, you’ll want your affairs, especially financial, to be in good hands. A power of attorney document allows you to appoint a person you trust, such as your spouse, relative, or friend, to make those decisions in case of the unexpected.
Without this, the court might have to appoint someone to take the place, which could be time-consuming and expensive.
A Last Will
This is one of the most crucial documents when planning your estate. A last will and testament serves as a legal declaration of how you’d like your estate to be distributed should you not be in a position to give your wishes, such as terminal illness or death.
Your estate includes all the shareable property you own, such as vehicles, real estate, and business shares. To help your loved ones avoid the lengthy probate process, consider a plan for the non-probate assets as well.
Medical Power of an Attorney
The medical power of an attorney allows someone of your choice to make your medical decisions in case of mental incapacity or unconsciousness.
When drafting your medical power of an attorney, remember to sign the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) release form so your appointee has access to your medical records as well.
Advanced Directives to Physicians
Besides being able to choose who can make your health decisions, you can also leave a document directing your last medical wishes. An advanced directive is a document that instructs your doctors on what kind of treatment you’d want and do not want in case you’re not in a position to.
This might include directives like a do-not-resuscitate order, the use of artificial methods to keep you alive, organ donation, among others.
Get Help from an Estate Lawyer
If you’ve considered planning your estate, now might be the time to do so. And if you’re looking for where to get started and how to process your estate planning documents, the attorneys at The Curry Law Firm are ready to help.
Simply arrange a consultation with us by calling 713-574-2070 or completing the form below with your contact details.
For easier organization and access, we also have a client portal where all your estate planning documents, including important calendar dates, can be found.