Why It's Important to Put Your Wishes in Writing
Most people have very definitive ideas about what they want as they age. For example, it’s common to hear, “I don’t want to go into a nursing home.”
But many times, these preference are never put into writing. Therefore, it is so important not only to plan ahead, but to have these wishes made legally binding.
“Long-term care planning is generally a holistic approach to meeting the legal, financial and medical needs of an individual,” says Donald Dennison, an associate with Mandlebaum Barrett Law Firm whose expertise is in elder law. “The objective is to allow a person who may not yet be in their proverbial golden years to remain in the driver’s seat for as long as possible.”
He says even young people should have a plan in place. “Anyone who’s over the age of 18 should consider signing legal documents such as a power of attorney, a living will, and/or a last will and testament. These documents are really important so that there’s at least one or more people who can make healthcare decisions if there is a catastrophic accident.”
It’s hard for the average person to know what considerations to take into account when doing this type of planning, and most online legal services can’t know every person’s unique situation. This is why sitting down in person with a professional is critical.
“Most people delay this type of planning because they don’t like to think about getting older,” says Don. “But, aging can cause forgetfulness, memory loss, and the inability to communicate effectively, and without proper planning, people are left hoping that others are making the right decisions for them.”
Mandelbaum Barrett PC
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