Healthcare decision-making: Estate planning’s about more than just money

At any time of one’s life, it is important to plan for future healthcare needs. But, it becomes exponentially more important as we age and become more likely to have serious health issues. If you have been putting off making a framework for handling your future healthcare needs, now is the time to act – before it is too late.

Disagreements over your care can tear your family apart, unless you take steps to prevent it

When you are affected by a serious medical condition, you might lose the ability to make your own decisions about your treatment. This can be very problematic. For one thing, without guidance, those making decisions about your care on your behalf might not select the options that you would be comfortable with. Furthermore, you might not be the only one affected; when there is no framework in place for making your care decisions, tensions may arise between family members when they do not agree on critical care decisions.

These problems can be solved by properly executing a healthcare durable power of attorney. The person you select as your healthcare durable power of attorney will have the right and responsibility to make decisions about your medical treatment. You can certainly speak to the person you wish to designate as your healthcare durable power of attorney about your wishes in the event of certain medical scenarios, but it is also a good idea to leave a written, legal record of those wishes to help ensure that your healthcare durable power of attorney is able to make fully informed decisions that are in line with your wishes.

Contact The Elder & Disability Advocacy Firm of Christine A. Alsop, LLC today

Odds are, you probably have not given a lot of thought to the type of care you would want, or the type of care you would not want, in the event of a serious or end-of-life medical event. It is an uncomfortable subject. Yet, it is one that must be considered if you want to ensure your wishes are followed and keep your family from being torn apart by strife arising out of disagreements about your care.

Many people think of wills and trusts when they think of estate planning, and preserving your wealth and ensuring a resource pool is available to pay your future medical bills are certainly big elements of estate planning. But a fully functional, complete estate plan goes beyond just financial planning. The decisions that affect you, your person, your body, are inherently of a highly personal nature; they are yours alone to make. Protect your family, and preserve your independence, by talking to The Elder & Disability Advocacy Firm of Christine A. Alsop, LLC about a healthcare durable power of attorney.