You already have a last will and testament in place. Isn’t that enough in terms of planning an estate? Even if you don’t have a lot of assets, there are a few other details that need your attention. An estate planning lawyer in Jefferson County, MO can help you understand why they matter and how they should be structured. Here are a couple of examples.
Powers of Attorney Matter
Along with your will, there’s a good chance that the estate planning lawyer in Jefferson County, MO will want to talk with you about powers of attorney. These are simple documents that make it possible for a trusted party to make decisions about the estate if you are temporarily incapacitated. Two of the most common examples are medical powers of attorney and financial powers of attorney. Having these in place can make things a lot smoother if a serious crisis makes it impossible for you to make your wishes known.
What About a Living Will?
Living wills are also something that your estate planning lawyer in Jefferson County, MO will want to discuss in detail. Essentially, it’s an advance directive that serves as the final say in your medical care. Typically, the provisions are invoked when your condition is so serious that there is little to no signs that you will survive. Think of it as a way to ensure that whomever has your medical power of attorney does not have to make the decision of when to switch from life extending treatments to treatments that keep you comfortable until you pass away.
Don’t assume anything about your estate, even if it doesn’t seem like a lot. Seek help from a lawyer who can help structure your estate. Doing so ultimately leaves no real doubt about what you would want done in certain situations.
Call Wegmann Law Firm today to arrange for a consultation on your estate planning needs.
