In addition to establishing documents that will help you pass on your assets to your loved ones in the future, you should also think carefully about whether or not you have planned for you own potential disability or incapacity.

It is never easy for people to contemplate their own future, particularly, if it means they are not able to make decisions on their own or may struggle due to a sudden diagnosis of an incapacitating event. That being said, it is also extremely important to consider the possibility of incapacity or disability.

There may be the chance that you or someone you know has already been negatively affected by the disability or incapacity and failure to take action could have significantly impacted their loved ones. This is an excellent opportunity for you to avoid the same situation yourself.

Having your business and health care affairs in order is the first step of the process, but you must equally have a valid will. Health care proxies and durable powers of attorney are the main ways to appoint agents to make critical business and health care decisions, whether permanent or temporary.

State or local law will otherwise empower someone else to make health care decisions on your behalf and this may not be the decision that you wanted or the person you intended to serve in this role. To avoid these problems, schedule a consultation with an experienced estate planning attorney today.

 

 

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a qualified attorney.

Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP

About Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP

Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP is the CEO and Founding Partner of O'Connell Law, an estate planning and elder law firm serving clients across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. She is one of a select group of attorneys in Massachusetts certified by the National Elder Law Foundation as a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA). Tiffany focuses her practice on estate planning, trust and probate administration, Medicaid planning, long-term care planning, Alzheimer's planning, charitable planning, and retirement and wealth strategies. She has been helping families plan for their futures since opening her practice in 2010.

Credentials: JD, LLM, CELA (Certified Elder Law Attorney — National Elder Law Foundation), AEP (Accredited Estate Planner)

Licensed in: Massachusetts

Areas of Practice: Estate Planning, Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Alzheimer's Planning, Asset Protection

View all posts by Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP →

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