Thinking about aging, future medical needs and death is understandably uncomfortable for most people. No one really wants to imagine a day where they have less autonomy over their life, but avoiding the topic will not stop it from becoming a reality. Lake Charles residents who carefully plan for estate law issues may be better prepared to fully enjoy their later years.
The term “elder law” might seem inapplicable to you, but it ultimately has a broad meaning that addresses everything from estate planning to retirement benefits and Social Security. Even age discrimination and some aspects of health care fall under the umbrella term of health care law. Setting yourself up for the best possible experience of your later years involves establishing important documents and instructions for these very issues. Here are some common areas of elder law you might want to consider:
- Wills, trusts and other estate planning documents
- Living wills
- Powers of attorney
- Long-term care planning
Although you probably already know that you may need a will, have you fully considered the benefits of trusts in your estate plan? Or maybe you have expressed your wishes for end-of-life care to a loved one, but have yet to put those instructions down in a living will? Even if you told someone that you want them to make medical decisions on your behalf, they probably will not be allowed to without a relevant power of attorney.
Getting older is not easy, but rather than mourn the passing of each birthday, you and other people in Lake Charles can take the opportunity to consider the legacy you want to leave behind. Estate law can be broad and complicated though, so consulting with an experienced attorney may be helpful for this endeavor. More elder law topics and other important information is also readily available on our website.
