Did you know that fitness or “getting in shape” is in the top three for most popular New Year’s Resolutions? It’s not surprising either. Who doesn’t want to have more energy, look their best and live longer! With a longer life comes the opportunity to try new things and make new memories with those you love. However, while your years on Earth increase your chances of one day becoming incapacitated increase along with it, which is why estate planning should also be on your list this year.
Commonly, people associate becoming incapacitated with growing old and “breaking down.” The truth is anyone can become incapacitated at any time due to a number of factors, including unforeseen illness or accidents. While no one wants to think that anything like this could ever happen to them, the truth remains that none of us have a crystal ball and we can’t predict our own futures. This is why it’s important to ask yourself some important questions: Who do I want making my financial decisions if I can’t do so myself? Who do I trust accessing my personal accounts? Who is it that I want accessing my medical records and making healthcare decisions for me? If I end up being kept alive by artificial means, do I want to be sustained that way indefinitely? Questions such as these are important to consider when creating your incapacity documents: the Durable Power of Attorney, Healthcare Surrogate, HIPAA Release form, and Living Will.
Durable Power of Attorney: allows you to appoint the individual you see fit to make all of your financial decisions, should you become incapacitated or otherwise unaware of your surroundings. With the
Designation of Health Care Surrogate: you are able to designate a health care surrogate to handle your medical decisions, should you become incapacitated or otherwise unaware of your surroundings.
HIPAA Release Form: will allow your Health Care Surrogate to have access to your medical records to help them make a better informed decision.
Living Will: is an important document that allows your health care surrogate to give the doctor the necessary authorization to “pull the plug” if you are being kept alive by artificial means.
All incapacity documents are included in our Will based plans as well as our Trust based plans. No need to stress over which is the better plan for you; the attorneys at Wild, Felice & Partners will help you make this important decision based off of your goals.
Continue to pursue a healthier happier you but also consider being proactive and protecting this new version of you! Prepare yourself for the unpredictable by calling the South Florida firm of Wild, Felice & Partners today for your free consultation. Call (954) 944-2855 or visit our website at http://www.wfplaw.com.
It’s A Wild World. Are You Protected? SM