Thursday, October 8, 2015

Estate Planning Matters When You Are Alive

Jon and Sue have been engaged and living together for over two years.  They plan to get married, but wedding expenses seem almost insurmountable.  So they keep putting off the big ceremony another year.

Along with the ceremony, they have been waiting to do Wills and Powers of Attorney, thinking that they will do those after they are married and have children.

But that thinking has some flaws.  Some things may be even more important to them now than they would be after the wedding.  For example, if Jon were hospitalized, Sue has no legal family status. 

As non-family, she might be delayed or even prevented from seeing him or talking to his doctors about his condition.  And she definitely would not be considered the decision-maker for Jon’s care by medical personnel if Jon becomes unable to decide for himself.

Such health care decisions would be made by agreement of Jon’s parents, who were divorced several years ago.  Sue could hope that they agree to let her decide, but they are not required to.  In fact, since she took Jon’s mother’s “side” in the ugly divorce, she thinks his father would not cooperate with her in any circumstance.

A power of attorney for health care allows you to choose who will make your health care decisions for you in the event you cannot.  To make your own choices, call our office at (815) 436-1996 for an estate planning appointment. 

©2015 Gruber Law Office, Ltd.


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