Putting together a plan for what happens after you’re gone doesn’t have to be daunting. And whether you’ve got five million in the bank or five bucks in your pocket, a Louisiana estate planning lawyer can help make the process simple and easy. From wills to powers of attorney, these essential documents help ensure your loved ones are protected.
The Must-Have Estate Documents for Everyday Louisianans
Your Will
Your final will and testament is your primary means of deciding what happens to your assets after you’re gone. Without one, the state decides who receives what and in what amount, removing your desires and intentions from the process. Creating a will allows you to specify what you leave to whom, and it allows you to name a specific person as the executor of your estate who will ensure that your wishes are appropriately carried out.
Power of Attorney (POA)
A Power of Attorney gives someone else the ability to act for you. There are many types of POAs, which can do everything from allow your spouse to sign documents on your behalf if you’re deployed on active duty military service to designating an agent to handle business and financial affairs for you. POAs can be very broad or especially limited, and it’s best to have an attorney help you determine their scope.
Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA)
An HCPOA is a special kind of POA that designates who gets to make health care choices for you if you are incapacitated. This form is important even if you’re currently completely healthy because accidents or illnesses can befall anyone on short notice. With an HCPOA in place, you know exactly who will make choices for you regarding your treatment, reducing confusion and offering your family clarity in a potential crisis.
Advance Directive (Living Will)
An advance directive is a document that allows you to declare whether you want life-sustaining treatment like a feeding tube or intravenous hydration if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness or are in a coma from which you are not expected to recover. By creating a living will in advance, you unburden your family from having to make stressful decisions by offering clear guidance on what you want and what you don’t.
An advance directive can be put in place even if you are healthy at the time of its creation, and you can rest assured that your health care team will still help ensure your comfort and relieve your pain even if you refuse some aspects of care.
How a Louisiana Estate Planning Lawyer Can Help
Choosing what happens at the end of your life can be difficult. A competent and experienced estate attorney can help guide you through the process of each decision step by step, and can help you put together a plan for both your health and your assets. An attorney can also help you establish a trust to transfer your wealth in the most tax-advantaged way possible, and periodically review your documents to ensure they stay up to date.
Whether you’re in the prime of your life or you’re making the most of your final years, having the correct documents in order means staying in control of your healthcare choices and your estate. Schedule a consultation today with our experienced team at Walter D. White, A Professional Law Corporation in Shreveport, LA.