Idaho Law Blog
Most people’s ideas about estate planning are just plain wrong. For instance, and most of my conversations with individuals about estate planning I learned that most people believe that estate planning has to do with how your property gets distributed upon your death. Well it’s true that this is an important part of your Idaho estate planning, it is not the only part. Here are 3 ways your Idaho estate planning can help you while you are alive and can enjoy the benefits.
1. PLANNING FOR YOUR OWN DISABILITY
The human race is living longer now than it has ever lived before. This is particularly true for people living within the United States, who have access to healthy nutritious food, medicines, and good health care. The only problem with living a long time is that there is growing number of individuals who become disabled in their later years.
Individuals develop dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, or other problems that may rob them of the ability to take care of themselves later in life. When this happens you can protect yourself by having properly prepared Powers of Attorney in place named the individuals who will make decisions for you about your finances, property, and basic life decisions.
2. PLANNING FOR YOUR OWN LONG TERM HEALTH CARE
A second way that you are estate planning helps you while you are alive is in planning for your own long-term Health Care needs. As in the example above, if you become disabled, there will need to be an individual who is named who can make Healthcare decisions for you. These decisions would include what doctors you visit, what medicines you take, what medical procedures you may have, and also the location of a long-term Assisted Living Center that you may live in.
You are durable power of attorney for Health Care allows you to name an individual who can make these decisions for you. By having a person named do you avoid any type of fight or conflict with your family and making these decisions. More importantly, you avoid the expensive cost of completing a guardianship which would be required.
3. PLANNING FOR YOUR END OF LIFE DECISIONS
The final wave that your estate planning can help you while you were alive is that it gives you the ability to make end-of-life decisions. Many people call this a living will, or a do-not-resuscitate order. This document, which is part of your regular Idaho estate plan, allows you to make decisions and give directions to your doctors in the event there are three specific circumstances that exist. These circumstances are: (1) that you have a terminal condition; (2) that your death is imminent; and (3) that you cannot communicate with your doctors or Physicians. Under these circumstances you’re living will will give directions to your doctors and will take end of life decisions off of the shoulders of your loved ones.
If you have questions about how your own Idaho estate plan protects you while you are alive, or about an Idaho probate we can help. Call us toll free at 877-232-6101 or 208-232-6101 for a consultation with Lane Erickson and the Racine Olson team of Estate Planning attorneys in Idaho. You can also email Lane Erickson directly at lve@racinelaw.net. We will answer your Idaho Estate Planning questions and will help you solve your Idaho Estate Planning problems.
This website includes general information about legal issues and developments in the law. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. These informational materials are not intended, and must not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. You need to contact a lawyer for advice on specific legal issues.