It is never pleasant to think imagine it, but every adult should have concrete end of life arrangements in Georgia. This can ensure that you will not only receive a proper burial or other options for your own peace of mind, but it also informs family members about your last wishes or desires for medical care.
These end-of-life arrangements can be separate from your Will or other testamentary documents. While many concepts will play no role in Probate, they can carry a legal impact in the sense that they can obligate funeral homes and other organizations to honor their commitments to you and your family. Our knowledgeable lawyers at Nelson Elder Care Law can help you through the Estate Planning process of putting together an end-of-life plan.
End-of-life arrangements can have an impact prior to your death. Many people take the opportunity to create Living Wills or Medical Directives to ensure that they receive the care that they want should they be unable to provide information directly to a doctor. It is not unusual to use these documents to decline resuscitation or to give one’s consent for experimental treatment.
End-of-life arrangements can also provide instructions for what to do after your death. This can cover a wide-ranging variety of topics such as:
Our Georgia attorneys can provide guidance concerning the legal aspects of end-of-life arrangements and also act on your behalf to forward these documents to doctors, family members, and funeral directors.
End-of-life planning also encompasses the creation of a Will, Trust, or other testamentary documents in Georgia. These serve as a way to legally transfer ownership of your property to your heirs at any point in the future. Wills function as a way to retain control over the Probate process, while Trusts can move assets to others upon your death or at any other time.
Our lawyers can explain your options for Estate Planning and take the lead in drafting these documents. This is especially important considering the state’s rules for document construction and implied intent. For example, the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 53-4-20 states that a Probate court will presume your Will to be genuine if it contains the signature of the testator (you) and at least two witnesses who observed you sign the document. Similar rules apply to the creation of Trusts and other documents. Hiring Nelson Elder Care Law to oversee this process helps to ensure compliance with all relevant laws.
Unfortunately, many of us lose control over our ability to make informed decisions in the coming years, but having an end-of-life arrangement in place informs others about our wishes concerning medical care, legal decisions, and funeral arrangements. End-of-life arrangements in Georgia can also include having a proper Estate Plan in place. Our team at Nelson Elder Care Law can take the lead to draft Wills, Trusts, and other testamentary documents that ensure that your assets move to your nominated heirs at the correct time. Reach out today to discover more about providing for your future and protecting your heirs after your death.
