Dec 15, 2017
When we think of estate planning, we think of large estates with lots of assets and lots of money. We think of the Will and the distribution of property. Of course that is partially true, particularly with your Will. You want to make sure that you dispose of your property upon your death and that it is distributed according to your wishes. A qualified estate planning attorney helps you determine the best choice for your unique situation.
Estate planning is important for everyone, and your Will is only part of an estate planning package at Bob Leonard Law Group, PLLC. In addition to your Will, we prepare a Statutory Durable Power of Attorney to take care of your finances, a Medical Power of Attorney to take care of your healthcare, a Directive to Physicians (Living Will) to let everyone know what you want in the event of a terminal or irreversible medical condition, and a Designation of Guardian to let people know who you want to take care of you in the event you become incapacitated.
My Dad’s Estate Planning saved our family a lot of heartache. Thanks Dad!
Your estate planning attorney and team can even come to you if you are homebound or in a facility.
Problems arise without documented plans in place. For every probate client who comes into our office with a well drafted Will and other documents, there are more who do not have this advantage. Following are some very real examples of what your family faces when you choose inaction over action in estate planning. You probably have examples of your own.
It's never too early for estate Planning. That last example was actually my father (check out his pictures in this post). He recognized that we would not be able to honor his wishes if he did not let us know what they were. He had a second chance to make sure he had everything in place and he took it seriously.
Five years later, when he was critically ill in the hospital, he demanded that the doctors prepare a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) document. Shortly thereafter, he had the option of undergoing another surgery or going home with hospice care. He chose hospice care. Before he left the hospital, he insisted on signing an out of hospital DNR. He was one hundred percent sure of what he wanted and he made sure everyone around him was one hundred percent sure.
My Dad blessed us with an incredible gift. He made the hard decisions for us so that we didn’t have to worry whether we were doing what he wanted. The truth is that we really don’t know what our parents, children, siblings or other loved ones “would have wanted.” Our perspective is colored by our own perception and wishes and our own ideas about what is right. If we don’t step up and get our estate planning documents done, we are letting our family down.
Working in a law office, I get to see the consequences of inaction. It never hit home for me until I was faced with my father’s death. He was an amazing father and an outstanding person. He thought of us up until the end and I will be forever grateful. Thanks Dad, for everything you did for me and for protecting me until the end. I love you. – Sydney
Bob Leonard Law Group, PLLC
This website has been built to be accessible for all users. If you experience any difficulty in accessing this website, please contact us for assistance.