It's Time To Get Your Legal Matters Taken Care Of!It's better to be prepared and not need it than to need it and not be prepared!Thank you for your patience while I was working on the legal page.
Up front, I want to say that I am NOT a lawyer, if you have any questions about any of these concerns you definitely need to talk to your lawyer and they need to be familiar with elder law.
I would like to tell you that a few years ago we had a need arise concerning mom's house that our attorney was not familiar with, so I contacted the Pro Seniors for help with the legal problem. They understand "elder law" and the legal problems older adults face. They setup an appointment by phone with mom's attorney and explained the procedure she needed to follow to resolve our home issue. It worked out great and our problem was resolved quickly and smoothly. Thank you
Pro Seniors!
You can find their contact info in the link above. Just have your info, paper and pen ready at the time of the scheduled phone call.
Your WillWhen was the last time you had your will updated? People and things change you know!Power of AttorneyDo you have a Power of Attorney or a Durable Power of Attorney in case your parent is unable to answer questions or fill out paper work or sign their signature?Picture this... the nursing staff at the hospital told your parent they had to go to the nursing home and wanted to know if they owned a home. NOW this actually happened to a friend of mine. When my friend heard about this they immediately told the nurse they were their parents POA and nothing was to be discussed with their parent again BUT with them. This could happen to you! Imagine if... your parent was in a coma and you did not get your papers in order, what would happen? There is also a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. You need to give a copy of this form to your parent's doctor(s). If you do not have the finances to hire an attorney please contact me and I will tell you how I handled these forms. If your parents have a large estate, you should contact an elder lawyer for sure.
Banks and UtilitiesWhat are other legal aspects you need to take care of? Here are a couple suggestions for you to think about. Don't put it off...it could get too late.If your parent cannot write checks any longer, you need to go to their local bank and have your name added to the account so it will be a joint account. Call the utility companies and cable company, etc and have your name added to the account so you will be able to correspond or make changes when needed. They will ask to speak to your parent and get their permission to add your name.
Advance DirectivesDoes your parent have a living will so you know what their wishes are when it comes to health care?This is also where the Power of Attorney for Health Care comes in. You need to keep your original legal papers in a very safe place and make sure that all doctors concern receive a copy. In fact, make several copies. I will discuss with you about a "Letter of Instructions" and personal wishes of your parent in the future, so come on back. Remember, if you have any questions at all that you are uncomfortable with, please consult a lawyer.
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