As you age, it often becomes more difficult to take care of yourself. However, many people delay making end-of-life plans because it seems too far in the future, or because it is scary to think about. If preparing for disability, long-term care, and the future of your family seems overwhelming, let our experienced attorneys guide you through the process. Many of our clients have shared that having a plan for these issues brings greater peace of mind to their lives.
Life is unpredictable. The legal team at Nelson Elder Care Law is here to listen to your goals for the future and help you plan for them. Whether you wish to establish your final wishes, take control of your savings, make arrangements for medical needs, or secure your family’s financial future, our Elder Law and Estate Planning lawyers can guide you through it.
There are many reasons to work with a knowledgeable attorney on your estate plan. Careful preparation allows you to make your own decisions about your house, savings, and other belongings. Proper estate planning can also help your loved ones avoid various taxes, complex legal proceedings, and family disputes after you pass away.
If you have minor children, a skilled Estate Planning lawyer can craft a plan to ensure that they are cared for. A well-practiced attorney can also advise on using various strategies to decrease tax debts and maximize the inheritance your loved ones will receive.
There are many types of legal documents that are commonly used in Woodstock estate plans. An experienced attorney at our firm can further explain these tools and help determine which ones suit your needs.
The Last Will and Testament, commonly known as a Will, is the foundation of estate planning. Most people have many different types of assets, such as a house, car, savings, or other belongings. A Will describes how you would like your assets distributed and who will inherit your belongings after you pass away. In this document, you can also name someone to oversee the distribution process.
A Trust is a valuable estate planning option that can make it easier for your loved ones to receive their inheritance. Unlike a Will, which merely outlines your wishes for distributing your assets, a Trust allows you and your family to have more control over the process. This estate planning tool can also be useful in avoiding the long and complex legal proceedings of Probate Court.
Despite the name, Elder Law is not just for the elderly. No matter your age, it is important to plan for whatever life throws your way. Like estate planning, there are various tools that our Elder Law attorneys can use to help you prepare for future financial situations, medical needs, and other important decisions.
A Living Will is a document that allows you to establish your end-of-life healthcare choices. When that time comes, the Living Will is used to determine what treatment you will receive in the event that you are no longer able to make your own medical decisions.
A Power of Attorney (POA) gives another person legal authority to make important choices on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Under Georgia law, “incapacitated” means that you are impaired to the point that you cannot make or communicate decisions on your own. In this scenario, the person that you nominate in your POA can make choices for you regarding certain issues.
There are several types of Powers of Attorney. A knowledgeable attorney at our firm can further explain these options and help decide what is right for your situation.
As the name suggests, this type of POA allows another person to take control over your financial decisions and business affairs. A Financial Power of Attorney can be either Durable or Springing. A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) begins immediately, while a Springing Power of Attorney only begins once you are determined to be incapacitated.
A Healthcare Power of Attorney is only effective when you are incapacitated. This document gives another person the authority to make important healthcare decisions on your behalf. When you establish a Power of Attorney, you can decide to give a person authority over financial choices, medical decisions, or both.
No matter what your vision is for the future, a Woodstock Elder Law and Estate Planning lawyer can help create a plan that fits your specific needs. It is never too early to establish your wishes and prepare for your family’s well-being after you have passed. As you grow older and your needs change, it is also important to update your plans and ensure that they are legally enforceable.
The team at Nelson Elder Care Law can assist you and your family at any stage of the estate planning process. We are here to listen to your goals and help you achieve them. Call our firm today to learn more about how we can assist you.
