These are challenging times. We are being called upon as a community to help one another. We want to educate people on steps you can take now that will protect you and those you love. Having critical documents in place should something happen to you or a loved one is more important than ever. It can feel intimidating, overwhelming or even scary to plan for the possibility that you may not be able to make your own decisions, but please keep in mind that planning for these scenarios does not make them more likely to happen. Taking this time to plan ahead gives you control and reduces the stress that comes with health concerns.

Let’s review what you can do to achieve peace of mind while at home.

 

·      Review any current health, financial, estate and asset protection documents. You must make sure they are up to date. You’ll be surprised to read that a great percentage of such documents are obsolete (studies show some 86% fall into this category due to changes in personal circumstances, laws, and events). 

Might your documents be outdated? Are your goals and objectives you had back then? Have any beneficiaries or designations changed? Are the trustees named still who you want? If you’ve designated a power-of-attorney (health and/or proxy), is this still a viable selection? If you’ve stated a guardian or guardians for your children, is the person or persons still desired? Has anyone’s health deteriorated so that he or she is now unable to act on your behalf as you originally intended? 

·      If you haven’t taken steps to put a will, trust documents, a power-of-attorney, or such documents in place. Now is the time to get them done

·      It’s also important that you keep a list handy in case you are unable to act on your own behalf, and let designated individuals know where it is located. Things to include: Estate planning attorney and financial professionals you rely on, bank account/safety deposit box information, titles to vehicles, home mortgage or title details, credit card information, passwords to any digital/on-line accounts, passports, birth certificate, Social Security card, etc. This will prevent the state, a court, medical institution or a funeral home to step in and take charge.

·      According to the American Medical Association, 67% of people do not have access to their healthcare agents when admitted to a hospital or emergency room. Basic life, health, and emergency plans need to be accessible to you and your family prior to an emergency. For example, we provide clients with a wallet card with all of this information for anyone 18 and over.

You can get these documents prepared by contacting an estate planning attorney. Many attorneys, including Dennis Sullivan & Associates are using teleconferencing to meet with clients. Massachusetts has also recently passed an emergency bill to allow remote signings, including witnessing and notarizing documents. This allows people to put protections in place now while social distancing. Stay healthy, stay safe, and be prepared.