Planning for your future, whether you are single or have a family, is just the smart thing to do. Estate planning is an essential part of laying out what will happen to your worldly goods when you are gone. Whether you have gained a lot of material property, or you are just drawing up a simple will – it will be important to those whom you will leave behind when you die.
The Will
A simple Will lays out who gets what when you die. There are online forms you may use to draw up a simple Will, and you probably will not need an attorney to do so.
The Durable Power of Attorney
This is a legal document that will provide medical and financial guidance should you be unable to make those decisions for yourself. The Durable Power of Attorney will appoint someone of your own choosing to handle your affairs should you, at any time in your life, become too ill to do so. This document will also keep the court system out of your business.
The Living Will
In a Living Will, you make the choices and the only other person involved is the Proxy whom you appoint to ensure that your wishes are carried out.
The Advanced Directive for Healthcare
If you are terminally ill, or injured, what do you want the medical professionals to know about how you would like to be cared for. This document allows for your wishes to be followed in the event of a terminal condition.
The Power of Attorney for Healthcare
This is different in that you actually appoint another person to be the decision-maker. In this case, you will not be making your own decisions about your healthcare. This document often comes into play when a person is unable to make decisions about their own health and well-being.
If you have legal questions about Wills and estate planning, please consult our Online Legal Directory to find an attorney in your area.