Given the advances in medicines, medical procedures and healthcare, we are living longer now than ever before. While this is great news, it is also important to understand that by living longer we are also increasing the changes that we could suffer an illness or injury that could disable us for a period of time during our life. This is where having a complete Pocatello estate plan can help you. By having one, you are able consider not only who your money, property and assets will go to when you die, but you are also able to think about and plan for yourself if you were to ever develop a mental or physical disability while you are alive. Our Idaho Estate Planning Attorneys are experienced and can help each individual plan for and avoid the sometimes destructive and often expensive problems mental incapacity can bring by assisting you in completing a Durable Power of Attorney.
With over 70 years of experience, our Lawyers in Pocatello plan for and help you avoid the often destructive and expensive issues mental or physical disabilities can bring by assisting you in completing a Durable Power of Attorney. Our Estate Planning team of attorneys in Pocatello includes partners Randy Budge and Lane Erickson and attorneys Nathan Palmer and Dave Bagley who have received the highest rankings and ratings possible from Justia, AVVO, and Martindale and Hubbell for their ethics and legal ability. We have the knowledge and expertise to help you complete your own Durable Power of Attorney.
Not Having a Durable Power of AttorneyThe reality is that life if fragile. An injury or illness can disable any person mentally or physically. Developing a physical or mental disability often creates unique problems and needs.
A healthy and competent person always has the ability to take care of their own family and their own finances and property. The law protects them and allows them to make decisions about their own finances, businesses, healthcare, and property. However, if you don’t have a Durable Power of Attorney in place and you then develop a disability, it’s possible that you could no longer take care of these things for yourself.
Having a complete Pocatello estate plan includes documents such as a Durable Power of Attorney. This document specifically gives you the ability, while you are healthy and fine, to decide who will make decisions for you if you ever become unable to do for yourself. Without a Durable Power of Attorney, the only way another person can take care of your daily life affairs, including your banking and finances in a legally correct way is through a legal guardianship. A guardianship is a legal proceeding in Court where a judge enters an Order that names a person to be the legal guardian for you. Once a person is named as your legal guardian they have the legal duty to care for you by dealing with your property and finances.
While a guardianship proceeding sounds good, the problem is it can easily be 2-3 times more expensive than simply completing your Pocatello estate plan. A guardianship proceeding is expensive and can be time-consuming process because it involves at least 2 lawyers, several doctors, family members and potentially other witnesses as well. Additionally, a guardianship proceeding often creates a situation where a family fight can occur. When family members don’t agree on who should be the legal guardian each person can petition the Court with their own name. Family fights in court are always time consuming, expensive and often destroy family relationships. The simple reality is that with a complete Pocatello Estate Plan, all of these problems can be avoided.
How a Durable Power of Attorney Helps YouOur team of Estate Planning Attorneys in Pocatello have helped numerous clients avoid the problems described above. We work with each individual client to determine who they would choose to take care of them, and their finances and property if they suddenly become disabled and can no longer do it themselves. We are confident that we can help you too. Our goal is to help you complete your Pocatello Estate Plan which includes a Last Will and Testament which gives away your property, a Living Will to help you make end of life decisions, and more importantly a Durable Power of Attorney.
A Durable Power of Attorney is the document that allows you to choose the person you want as your guardian. Essentially, this means you get to choose the person who will care for you, your property and your finances if you become disabled. When a valid Durable Power of Attorney exists, it protects you. There is no longer any need for a guardianship proceeding involving a Court. Avoiding such legal proceedings not only saves you money, it also eliminates a chance family fights. Most important, it leaves you in control of naming who will care for you and your finances and property.
Enlist an Idaho Estate Planning Attorney to Help YouWe are confident that we can help you complete your Pocatello Estate Plan that includes a Durable Power of Attorney. We know that by doing this you can save money and help your family avoid contention. We are here to help you and your family. We are available to discuss your options and answer your questions at an initial consultation. Call us toll free at 877.232.6101 or 208.232.6101 for a consultation with our team of Estate Planning attorneys in Pocatello. You can also email us directly at racine@racinelaw.net. We will answer your questions and will help you solve your Pocatello Estate Planning problems.