Elder Law and Estate Planning Resolutions

Article submitted by Kay Richter, Attorney at Law, specializing in Eldercare Law and Estate Planning.
For more information, she can be reached at 520-318-1301.

As the year 2006 proceeds, here are some resolutions to consider for this year:

• I resolve to proceed with doing a Will, Trust, Financial Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney and Living will.
• I resolve to review and update the above documents.
• I resolve to explore long term care insurance, i.e., nursing home insurance and home health insurance.
• If I am ineligible for the above insurance, I resolve to find out about ALTCS, the governmental funding of nursing home.
• I resolve to put together a plan for future illness or incapacity.
• As part of the above, I will visit adult care homes, nursing homes or locate resources for home health care.
• I resolve to locate a care manager, a person who will assist me if I ever am incapacitated to make arrangements for me.
• I resolve to explore estate tax planning.
• I resolve to make a list of all of my assets for my family.
• I resolve to acquire a safe deposit box and place all of my original documents in the box.
• I resolve to give copies of my health care directive to my doctor and hospital.
• I resolve to write up my wishes for memorial service, burial and cremation.
• I resolve to visit a mortuary and make my final arrangements so that others do not have to do this for me.
• I resolve to spend some time with a family member and show them where I keep all of my financial information.
• I resolve to check on umbrella insurance.
• I resolve to do an antenuptial agreement or a postnuptial agreement with my spouse.
• I resolve to begin gifting to charities.
• I resolve to communicate with my agent under my health care directive about my wishes.
• I resolve to assist other family members with the above tasks.
• I resolve to have the best year possible!!