We offer general Estate Planning services to individuals and couples of all ages.
Your Last Will and Testament can pass assets at your death to the beneficiaries you select. If you don’t have a Will, there is a set of Statutes that acts like “the average Will.” But the Statute’s “plan” isn’t usually what someone would want.
Your Trust can act like a Will and pass assets to your chosen beneficiaries after your passing – and it can also hold assets for certain beneficiaries for additional periods of time. Your Trust can also own assets during your lifetime.
Your Power of Attorney names someone to be your Agent, to handle financial decisions, such as banking, taxes, real property, and retirement accounts. You can also name your Agent as Guardian of your Estate, if that ever becomes necessary.
Your Health Care Power of Attorney names your Agent for medical decisions – but they have to wait until your doctor determines that you lack capacity. You can nominate your Health Care Agent as your Guardian of the Person.
Your Declaration of Desire for a Natural Death (a/k/a “Living Will”) allows you to make more specific decisions about life support, PEG-tube feeding, etc. It is not the same thing as either a Do Not Resuscitate Order (“DNR”) or a Medical Order for Scope of Treatment (“MOST”).
Last, your HIPAA Form authorizes your treating professionals to share your health information with your Health Care Agent.
David B. McLean, PLLC
