Elderlaw

Article submitted by Robert Long, Jr. Attorney at Law.
For more information, he can be reached at 973-627-1012.

Without a plan you are not in control of what happens to you or your Estate. Three documents you need are a Will, Power of Attorney and HealthCare Directive (commonly known as Living Will). Each document is important and serves a different purpose.

After your death, a Will provides how your estate will be distributed and appoints an Executor who will be responsible for distribution and settlement.

During your life, a Power of Attorney gives a person appointed by you, authority to act on your behalf. When you are sick or incapacitated, your bills need to be paid and your business affairs handled. Trust is the key requirement for selecting someone to act on your behalf.

If you are too sick to make decisions regarding your health care, you can provide, in a HealthCare Directive, the type of care you want and designate a person to make decisions on your behalf.

As circumstances change, it is important to periodically review your Will, Power of Attorney and HealthCare Directive making sure they accurately reflect your wishes and that the persons you have chosen to act on your behalf are still available and able to act.