Well, who wants to think about that? Leave it to whomever and make them sort it out and figure out your wishes. Or let the state and the federal government have at your health care, home and belongings. They'll know what to do!
Not very satisfactory to ponder, is it? So very many of us leave our end-of-life wishes in a limbo we mean to attend to sooner or later. We just can't get ourselves to settle down and get those details set up so they're available for the folks who will have to deal with our serious illness, stroke, broken body, demented mind, etc., when the time comes, or those who will wonder why the lengthy expensive probate process, which you could have avoided, is now the only option for the disposal of your property. I don't think most of us really want their last memories of our relationship to be of the mess we left behind, do we?
Recently, I attended the Canyon Sages free workshop on Life Planning. It was led by Canyonite and estate planning attorney Rebecca Goldfarb with her partner Dinh Luu. You've probably heard of Rebecca or seen her in one of her many community service hats. Right now, she is on the forming committee for Canyon Sages, the Canyon's new organization for seniors of all ages.
At the seminar, Rebecca offered an overview of what's entailed in estate planning, and information on how to avoid probate. She and Dinh discussed the advantages of a trust, the need for an advanced Health Care Directive and a durable power of attorney, and when a will versus a trust might be an option.
Among the most important benefits of estate planning, Goldfarb & Luu listed the following: control over decision-making to honor your wishes; preserve your dignity; allow you to give your belongings to the people you want to receive them; reduce stress for your family; helps avoid probate fees and taxes.
One of the topics of estate planning is the Health Care Directive. This is not just a necessity for your friends and family, or whomever your appointed agent may be. It is necessary if you care about how you want to be treated if you get sick.
Contrary to misinformation, it does not "pull the plug" on grandma. For instance, if you're incapacitated with either a temporary or permanent injury or illness, your appointed agent will be authorized to call the shots according to your signed directives, which can indicate that you want to stay plugged in until you shrivel away, if that is your choice.
Other things your agent will need to know are whether or not you want to be home, in rehab or don't have a preference. They will need the name of your hospital/doctor and your religious preference. Are you a vegetarian? Eat only organic? What kind of lotions/soap do you use for bathing? What are your beauty, clothing and grooming needs? Do you like music playing? Movies? Would you want to be outside some of the time? If death is inevitable, do you want to be at home or in the hospital? Do you have special requests? Your agent needs a letter of instruction from you along with the Health Care Directive.
Most of us don't want to leave a mess, or trust our failing body to whatever healthcare hovel the governing entities may have available at the time, nor do we want to let them dispose of our possessions however they see fit. Contact your legal entity of choice and set something up. Goldfarb & Luu are local and will offer another free workshop in the fall. Contact them at (800) 489-1984.
Pierce College's Encore program sometimes offers a class in Elder Law. Their fall catalog will be out soon with classes beginning August 30. To speak with them or request a schedule of classes, call (818) 710-2561.
