No one wants to think about death and leaving your loved ones to manage your affairs after you are gone. As difficult as it is to face, doing some very simple estate planning can give you and your loved ones peace of mind and make your wishes clear should you fall ill, suffer injury or death. Unexpected end of life situations can happen at any age, so it is very important for all adults to spend a little time preparing these documents.
- Your Health Care Directive (or legal will) gives written legal instructions about your preferences for medical care to doctors and caregivers should you fall ill, seriously injured, develop a memory disorder such as dementia or as you near the end of life. By communicating your wishes ahead of time, you take the burden off of family to make these decisions in the moment and can ensure that you get the medical care that you want.
- Naming someone your Power of Attorney allows that person to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. This person may be your spouse, a child, or a friend and the decisions that they are able to make could be financial or medical, depending on what you specify. A power of attorney has access to your bank account and other financial information when needed so that you do not have to go through the courts to appoint someone for this should you be unable to do so.
- Your Will gives guidance about transferring your assets after your death. A will generally also nominates guardians for any minor children that you have. Conveying these personal wishes are extremely important, especially when it comes to guardianship.
Kallemeyn & Kallemeyn: Estate Planning Lawyers MN
While thinking about estate planning now may not be on the top of your list, it is something that can be done more easily and quickly than you think, particularly if you partner with an attorney with experience with simple estate planning. Kallemeyn & Kallemeyn have been working with clients in the Minnesota area for years and will make this process as painless as possible. We can handle most of the legwork and make sure that your wishes can be conveyed via your will, your power of attorney and health care directive.
You might also be surprised to learn that the fee for completing these documents is only $400 for an individual and $500 for a couple. As the new year approaches, call our team at 1-763-427-5131 to set up an appointment to check this off of your list once and for all.
