With the start of a new year comes the opportunity for you to make resolutions to change your life in Oakdale for the better. As you contemplate ways to put an end to old habits and develop new ones, the one aspect you do not want to overlook is your end-of-life needs. Though you are in the prime of your life, you might not want to think about when you are old, sick, dying and unable to care for yourself. Because people are living longer, the chances of you living longer than expected are higher.
Your estate plans are more than a list of instructions for your loved ones to distribute your assets. They are documents that give certain legal permissions to individuals you choose to represent you. Here is a brief overview of essential documents you should include in your estate plans.
General power of attorney
As you get older, you may become more concerned with living your life and less with managing your financial and legal affairs. A general power of attorney allows you to choose an individual to take over those duties for you.
Medical power of attorney
Sickness and serious injury are not always preventable. As you get older, your body loses its ability to recover quickly. You also become more susceptible to trauma, making it harder for you to recover as fast and completely as you expect. There may be times when you are unable to make decisions regarding your medical wants and needs. A medical power of attorney is a document that gives the person you choose the authority to handle all of your medical decisions when you cannot.
Keep in mind that there are other powers of attorney documents you can use to strengthen your estate plans and improve your standard of care and living near the end of your life. You should choose your representatives carefully and review your estate plans often. You might want to speak with an attorney for guidance to ensure that your estate planning documents accurately reflect your wishes.
