While this outcome was certainly not the one you or your parent wanted, doctors caught the signs in enough time for your parent to still have the mental capacity to make critical decisions. Now, you both feel it is time to get important matters in order.
Essential estate planning documents
This type of medical diagnosis can spur many feelings and the need for action. You and your parent may both need some time to come to terms with the situation, but you both also know that getting your parent's affairs in order now is vital. Some estate planning documents that could prove invaluable in making sure your parent's wishes are known include the following:
Of course, if your parent wishes to have a more comprehensive plan, using other documents may be useful as well. The beauty of estate planning is that numerous options exist for creating a plan that addresses each individual's specific needs. On the other hand, having so many options can make some people feel overwhelmed. Luckily, estate planning is not a process that you or your parent has to go through alone.
Having assistance
While you may feel more than ready to help your parent through the planning process, you may not have all the answers or know how to find the right answers. Fortunately, experienced New Jersey attorneys can help you and your parent go over the available options and determine which tools could prove most beneficial.
]]>Has your child appointed a power of attorney agent? You may feel taken aback by this question, but even if you consider your college-bound student your baby or even still a child, he or she has likely reached the age of 18. As a result, your baby is an adult in the eyes of the law, which means you no longer have automatic control over important areas of his or her life.
Why a power of attorney?
Having your child consider creating a power of attorney document could prove useful for a number of reasons. As mentioned, you no longer have the legal power to make decisions for your adult child; this means that, if he or she ends up in an accident or other situation that results in an inability to voice his or her own decisions, you cannot simply make those decisions yourself.
Though certain states do have laws that put a parent at the top of the list when it comes to people who can make medical decisions for another person when necessary, you may not have a guarantee that a medical professional will not allow another adult to act on your child's behalf. With a power of attorney document, your child can legally name you as an agent who has the power to make medical decisions for him or her.
Is it really necessary?
Though the hope is always that your child will avoid harm, no one is immune to accidents that happen every day. If your child has not taken the legal steps to appoint you as his or her power of attorney agent, time could be wasted in the event that your child needs someone to make decisions on his or her behalf and others cannot agree on who should make those decisions.
Though your college-bound child is just a young adult, an estate plan is important for adults of any age. By having a power of attorney and other related documents in place, you and your child may both have greater peace of mind. If you believe that moving forward with this action is right, you may want to contact an experienced estate planning attorney for assistance.
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