Estate planning helps ensure that your loved ones understand your wishes and that they are cared for following your death. Benjamin Franklin once said that by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. That could not be more true when it comes to estate planning. Statistics show that nearly 70 percent of Americans don’t create an estate plan. Without a plan, your assets can be awarded to people whom you did not choose, or go to the Internal Revenue Service.
Traditional wills guide the proper transfer of assets to beneficiaries after death. The creator of the will, called a testator, writes a will to document how the estate—the accumulated property and possessions—are to be distributed to beneficiaries. An executor, also called a Personal Representative oversees that the directions of the will are carried out.
Understanding How a Will is Created
When creating an estate plan, consider adding a Medical Directive. Some opt for a living will while others prefer to have a durable health care power of attorney. Before creating this document, however, you need to learn the laws of your state to ensure the document meets the legal requirements. With the help of the document selected, your healthcare provider will be able to follow your wishes rather than doing what he or she feels is best.
While reaching a point where help is needed to conserve an estate or ensure an individual receives needed care, there are processes in place to protect individuals. Although most attention is given to seniors, individuals of any age may require protection. One question which often arises is the difference between Guardianship and Conservatorship. Eldercare legal experts from Life Care Planning Law Firms Association (ICPLFA) are available to work with clients finding themselves in need of assistance. So, What is Guardianship and Conservatorship?
When an elderly family member needs full-time care, the best option may be a care center dedicated to providing an environment where residents can get the care they require. Most facilities provide an acceptable level of care, and residents often thrive. However, there are situations where residents do not appear to receive the level of care required. When issues develop, eldercare experts are often needed to assist in resolving those problems.
For many seniors, the prospect of needing long-term care is disconcerting at best and terrifying at worst. The costs involved in long-term can quickly decimate an estate that took a lifetime of hard work to acquire. Today, the importance of a quality long-term care policy is becoming increasingly obvious. However, few people understand the elements a policy should include. So, eldercare experts routinely point out What a Good Long-Term Care Policy Should Include. There are five things that should be considered when obtaining a long-term care policy.
For many people, the time comes when help is needed to take care of everyday needs. Home care providers are readily available to fill the need, but before considering hiring a provider, eldercare experts strongly recommend understanding what level of care is needed and if that need is likely to change in the future. Hiring a Home Care Provider is a big step and, for the process to go smoothly, everyone must be on the same page. There are six steps to consider carefully when selecting a care provider.
Define the Level of Care Needed
Everything from icy and slick sidewalks to plummeting temperatures can leave seniors in danger during the winter months. Here are some ways that caregivers and family members alike can help keep seniors safe during the winter.
