Who Makes Decisions for You When You’re Gone?

Who Makes Decisions for You When You’re Gone?

It’s unpleasant to contemplate, but you might not be in a condition to refuse to be revived or resuscitated. You may want to live, but can’t manage your affairs. The courts have ruled that all mentally competent adults have the right to refuse medical care. That is why you must make sure your intentions are clear in advance.

First of all, your instructions must be written, preferably in a formal document. There are some planning tools that can help. For financial matters, you can use trusts and durable powers of attorney. For health care decisions, some states have family consent laws permitting other family members to make some health care decisions on your behalf.

Most states have adopted various forms of legal devices to help carry out your wishes when you’re incapable of making such important decisions. In considering lifetime planning or advance directive documents, remember that they’re valid only if written when you are competent. A health care advance directive, a living will, or a durable power of attorney for health care tells your doctor and the executor of your will about your decisions. These documents carry substantial moral weight with health care providers.

Becoming disabled doesn’t stop bills. Taxes still must be filed. Your property must be managed. What happens when you are unable to manage your affairs? Your estate plan anticipates such a situation.

There are ways to appoint trustees to take care of various business and financial matters if you can’t.

Planning and managing your affairs when you might not be able to make decisions regarding your property, medical treatment or even your life are not only useful but essential. Call our office today to begin the process — you’ll sleep more soundly knowing that you’ve taken care of your future.

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This website is not intended to be a source of solicitation or legal advice. General information is made available for educational purposes only. The information on this blog is not an invitation for an attorney-client relationship, and website should not be used to substitute for obtaining legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. Please call us at (626) 403-2292 if you wish to schedule an appointment for a legal consultation.

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William Hayes

As an attorney in private practice in Los Angeles County, California William Hayes provides extensive estate and tax planning services to individuals and businesses in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank and surrounding communities. Attorney Hayes’ primary focus is to help clients avoid probate, protect their assets, and provide for the security of their loved ones with a well-crafted estate plan. He believes in giving each client the time needed to explain his or her needs and wishes and then dedicates his efforts toward making the client’s desires clear in their final estate plan.

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