An unexpected event such as a car accident or work-related injury can change your life in seconds. As a result, it’s important to be proactive in ensuring you have taken care of your family in the event you become incapacitated. Generally, people use two main legal tools to protect their family finances and medical preferences in the event of incapacitation: durable power of attorney and advance healthcare directive.
The Benefits of a Durable Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney is a legal document that authorizes an agent to act on your behalf in the event you become incapacitated. This authorized agent can sign contracts and checks, file tax returns, and enter into real estate transactions for you. Further, a durable power of attorney ensures proper management of your financial affairs according to your wishes. Therefore, it’s important to appoint a person you trust to carry out your plans if you are incapacitated.
That said, the durable power of attorney ends upon death. As a result, it’s best to pair it with another estate planning tool such as a living trust or a last will and testament. Contact us for more information on how to prepare these and other estate planning documents.
The Benefits of an Advance Healthcare Directive
An advance healthcare directive is a legal document that allows you to provide in-depth instructions for your medical treatment preferences to your physician and loved ones. These preferences may include medical treatments like diagnostic testing, surgery, and resuscitation. Additionally, your document should include whether you would like to spend your last days in a nursing home, medical facility, or at home, and any pain management requests.
Furthermore, having an advance healthcare directive is beneficial because it allows you to appoint someone to act on your behalf in the event you are incapacitated. Therefore, especially if you have a serious medical condition, you should consider preparing an advance healthcare directive. Do not wait to decide on your medical future; speak with your doctor about your end of life healthcare treatment options now. Then, once you’re ready, contact us for more information on how we can help you draft an advance healthcare directive.
A People’s Choice Can Help
At A People’s Choice, we have helped thousands of California residents prepare durable power of attorneys and advance healthcare directives. Plus, we offer a variety of packages to meet your estate planning needs. Call 1-800-747-2780 to speak with a representative about our services and learn more about how we can help.
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