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Understand-that-Wills-Are-Part-of-a-Package

Understand that Wills Are Part of a Package

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Any estate planner worth his or her salt is going to discuss the benefits of Advance Medical Directive and Durabl
e Financial Power of Attorney documents. Sometimes, depending upon the circumstances, these documents are much more important than the Will. The more deeply entrenched in guardianship litigation I become, the more I see the value of having a valid Power of Attorney.

Admittedly, there are times when these documents are insufficient to provide the right protections to an individual, but I would much rather help a family by providing a Power of Attorney document, and avoid the costly, time-consuming, and sometimes emotionally draining process of applying for guardianship for someone who is already incapacitated.

With regard to Financial Power of Attorney documents, many married individuals think that their spouse does not need a Power of Attorney to act on their behalf, but that is simply not true. If the incapacitated spouse needs expensive medical care, the healthy spouse may need to cash in the 401K or sell the jointly- owned house – that cannot happen without a guardianship or Power of Attorney document, and the Power of Attorney is much easier and much less expensive.

Advance Medical Directive documents provide additional solace to the family and individual. Advance Medical Directive tells a person’s family whether he or she wants life-sustaining treatment, and also appoints a decision maker. It also allows the family access to medical information so they can make informed decisions. Under New Jersey law, there is no priority of right as to who the decision-making person should be in these circumstances. The standard for withdrawing life-sustaining treatment is (1) what would the person wanted (a difficult thing to prove) and (2) what are in the person’s best interests (a difficult thing to decide).

An estate planning lawyer can help ensure your documents are up to date and reflect your concerns. If you desire assistance with documents or any other matter, contact one of our seasoned attorneys.

Estate Planning, estate planning documents, guardianship, power of attorney, Wills

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